Trump’s indictment is another demeaning ‘first’ for the 45th president

Editorial: As with his time as president, the nation and the wider world will once again be transfixed by the adventures of Trump, as if it were some grandiose and far-fetched reality TV series

(Dave Brown)

Extraordinary. Unprecedented. Frankly incredible. Donald Trump is the first president or former president to be indicted on a criminal charge and, soon, to be arrested.

It’s a historic moment, and another demeaning “first” for the 45th president, a man who would, had the constitution and logic enabled him, have pardoned himself before he left office.

There have been many flawed, strange, eccentric, stupid, vain, mendacious, unworthy and plain crooked men to inhabit the White House, but Trump is the first, it would seem, to embody all of those qualities, and to have them confirmed during a trial for multiple offences.

Bewildering as recent events may be, they are also not so surprising given that they concern the behaviour of Mr Trump. The charges confirmed by the grand jury and prosecutors in Manhattan are only one set of possible charges.

There’s also the Department of Justice inquiry into presidential papers sequestered at the ex-president’s home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. We also wait for the final resolution of Mr Trump’s role in the infamous 6 January insurrection.

And there is, almost a sideshow, the pressure on election officials in Georgia during the presidential voting count in November 2020. Mr Trump is busy with his election campaign, but he and his lawyers will also find themselves preoccupied with the aftermath of his last term of office.

There may be much more of this to come as America approaches the primaries in the spring of next year, Mr Trump’s candidature in November 2024, if he lasts that long, and then, given the ponderous processes of justice, into the second Trump administration.

As with his time as president, the nation and the wider world will once again be transfixed by the adventures of Mr Trump, as if it were some grandiose and far-fetched reality TV series.

Soon, too, thanks to Elon Musk, Mr Trump will be rejoining Twitter, picking up his smartphone and giving everyone a running commentary on proceedings. Despite his protestations, he seems to enjoy the attention. The Trump base is also being fired up by the prospective prosecution because they thrive on grudge and grievance.

America’s republic was shaken by the events of 6 January 2021, but it is perfectly possible that some may be driven to violence, perhaps even terror, because of their misguided patriotism and burning sense of injustice at the fate of their idol. As with the attack on the Capitol, there may again be bloodshed.

It is a depressing prospect, and, as such, it’s critical to cling to a belief in the strength of America’s constitution, its way of life, its democracy and the principle of the rule of law. Mr Trump remains innocent until found guilty, and he has every right to a fair trial.

By the same token, he has also to face justice like any other citizen. During his time in office, he bent, strained, abused and fractured America’s venerable, beautifully balanced, constitution – but he did not break it. He will not do so this time, either.

In the end, as the months of charge sheets, legal wrangling, perp walks and witness statements build up, and the name Stormy Daniels once again trends on social media, all this sleaze and disgrace must give even the most dedicated of the Maga movement some pause for thought about bringing Mr Trump back, and facing a criminal trial while in the White House. Even if it does not, more mainstream Republicans, and especially Republican voters, will surely recoil at the thought.

They have plenty of Trumpian candidates ready to “make America great again” without having to simultaneously face court hearings and jail time: Ron de Santis, for example, differs little from Mr Trump on policy, or instinct, it would seem. For all but the most stubborn of Trumpites, he’d surely be an acceptable alternative to Joe Biden.

Mr Trump should never be underestimated – he has survived many scraps in his business and political careers – but the supposed hush money and violation of the law may mean that Ms Daniels finally proves his nemesis. For all the fire and fury, the resurrection of Mr Trump is not at hand.