The biggest question in the 2024 presidential campaign is whether voters or juries will be the first to judge Donald Trump. As the Republican front-runner, Trump is bracing for an onslaught of potential criminal charges, leaving his legal team scrambling to figure out a defense strategy amid an avalanche of evidence against the former president.
The specter of a former president facing indictment was once unimaginable, but Trump has shattered political norms with his ability to evade accountability. Now, he stands on the brink of becoming a regular target of criminal investigations, with special counsel Jack Smith preparing to unleash a barrage of charges against him.
Trump’s legal team is scrambling to uncover any hidden evidence in Smith’s arsenal, as they fear the net of allegations might extend far beyond what they already know.
In Manhattan, Trump is already facing charges linked to hush money payments to an adult film star, and separately, he’s entangled in federal charges related to mishandling classified documents in Florida.
The ex-president has been served with a notification that he’s a target of Smith’s probe into the 2020 election and the events leading up to the US Capitol attack. This crucial step often precedes an indictment, and Trump’s fate now hangs in the balance.
Now, all eyes are fixed on a grand jury in Washington, DC, scheduled to convene on Thursday. Will Russell, a former special assistant to Trump, is set to testify for the third time, further fueling speculation that an indictment could emerge imminently. Trump has been given a four-day window to decide if he’ll testify, but legal experts warn that the threat of indictment looms large.
The scope of Smith’s investigation is vast, including efforts to pressure swing states to change election results and a scheme to overturn the election results by awarding electoral votes to Trump.
Despite the legal challenges, however, has astutely harnessed these troubles to fuel his campaign fundraising. His narrative of political persecution resonates with his cult-like base, keeping him a force to be reckoned with in the Republican nomination race.
One thing’s for sure, with Trump’s legal battles and his claims of being a victim of political persecution, this 2024 election is shaping up to be a wild ride.
