Former U.S. President Donald Trump has become the first current or former U.S. president to be criminally indicted. According to the British BBC on the 30th (local time), if he is arrested, he will endure the humiliation of having a mugshot taken, fingerprints taken, and DNA collected, just like other defendants.
Whether former President Trump voluntarily surrenders or is arrested, the procedures, which are conducted privately, remain the same. Afterwards, prosecutors' investigators are expected to ask Trump simple questions such as his name, date of birth, and address, and prepare an arrest report. Then, Trump will be taken to the Manhattan District Court for an arraignment. This procedure involves informing the defendant of the charges and questioning whether they admit or deny the charges.
Typically, when indicted for a felony, it is customary to be handcuffed, pass through the photo line, and head to court. It is also known that former President Trump, who wants to use this indictment as a political opportunity, prefers this. However, BBC reported that given his status as a former president receiving strict security, it is highly likely that this process will be skipped. According to The New York Times (NYT) and The Guardian, Trump, who wants to use this indictment as a political opportunity, has reportedly told his aides that he intends to wear handcuffs and stand at the photo line.
While this criminal trial indictment is a 'boon' for former President Trump himself, it is expected to be a major setback for his party, the Republican Party. The political media outlet Politico reported that within the opposition Republican Party, the prevailing view is that this indictment, led by the Manhattan District Attorney who belongs to the Democratic Party, is purely a political attack. Former Vice President Mike Pence called it 'political persecution,' and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy criticized it as "ridiculous abuse of power by a radical prosecutor." Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) claimed it is evidence of how much the Democrats fear former President Trump.
In line with this atmosphere, it is reported that Trump's campaign is preparing to use this indictment to rally his supporters. Politico explained, "The campaign has begun to turn this indictment into a litmus test for Republicans," describing it as "a test where those who do not become Trump's defenders are branded as leftist sympathizers."
Even if former President Trump is on trial or convicted, he is expected to be able to run for president. According to the U.S. Constitution, the qualifications for presidential candidates are being a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old, and having resided in the U.S. for at least 14 years. Major foreign media outlets such as CNN and The New York Times (NYT) have stated that there is no reason why Trump cannot run due to indictment or conviction. It is even expected that going to prison will not hinder his campaign activities.
However, if he is actually arrested, the presidential campaign will inevitably become complicated. It is expected to have an immediate impact on the Republican primary race. Whether that impact will be positive or negative is currently uncertain. Some believe that an environment is being created for former President Trump to gain greater support within the party. Having appeared frequently in the media, Trump has shown an instinctive sense for rallying public opinion. He is already inciting his supporters by claiming he is being politically persecuted. His showmanship is also credited with helping him achieve a landslide victory in the 2016 presidential election, defeating the representatives of 'Washington politics,' despite having no prior political experience.
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