Slippery Don, Caught at Last

With Trump's historic trial, the system is working

Photo by BS d'Avalonia on Unsplash

And so it begins, at last.

On Monday, jury selection will commence in the trial of Donald Trump, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first president, current or former, to face criminal charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has leveled 34 felonies against him. For Trump, the best-case scenario would be a series of not guilty verdicts. Conversely, the worst-case scenario could see convictions that land him in New York’s infamous Rikers Island jail or a state prison.

If you harbor fantasies of seeing Trump in a prison uniform, those hopes may be dashed. Given his age and lack of prior convictions, actual prison time seems unlikely. He may even walk away unscathed. Nevertheless, there is solace in witnessing the justice system finally in motion.

Notwithstanding, Trump has not been passive in the face of legal proceedings. In the past week alone, his legal team has made three futile attempts to delay or derail the trial. One filing with an appeals court claimed that Judge Juan Marchan had "exceeded his authority" by denying delays. Another suggested Marchan's impartiality should be questioned due to his daughter's ties to Democratic consulting. The third sought a postponement pending a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity from federal prosecution. Given the state court charges, this appeal was essentially a foregone conclusion.

The crux of the case against Trump revolves around clandestine payments made to two women—Playboy model Karen McDougall and adult film actress Stormy Daniels—to conceal sexual affairs. Often overlooked is the sordid nature of these transactions, including Trump's infidelity shortly after Melania had given birth. These payoffs, occurring weeks before the 2016 election, were evidently intended to sway the outcome.

Add to this the allegations of falsifying business records to obfuscate his actions, and the tally reaches thirty-four charges. This appears to be a violation of both state and federal election campaign laws.

A conviction cannot bar Trump from running for office. However, polls indicate that some of his supporters would defect in the event of a conviction. While many believe his claims of persecution, significant defections in key swing states could tip the scales in favor of Joe Biden.

Beyond electoral concerns, Trump's efforts to delay the trial reflect a lifetime habit of gaming the system. His playbook seems to be inspired by his father's exploits, who similarly exploited loopholes until barred from participation. Throughout his life, Trump has employed lawyers to seek endless delays in civil trials, often settling cases to avoid court appearances.

As jury selection begins, it's important to acknowledge that Manhattan jurors are likely immune to Trump's tactics, having endured decades of similar narratives. Furthermore, Bragg's extensive experience in fraud cases provides reassurance, despite initial setbacks. Unlike the federal prosecutions, New York officials have maintained a steady pace.

Though courtroom cameras are prohibited, the trial's historic significance ensures extensive press coverage. While we won't witness testimonies firsthand, Trump's desperate attempts to delay indicate his fear of both conviction and the truth that will emerge.

Finally, the wheels of justice have caught up with Donald Trump. Whatever the outcome, there's a semblance of closure in that realization.