Former President Donald Trump has been indicted for his alleged involvement in the hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels by his then-lawyer Michael Cohen. The allegations involve a $130,000 payment Cohen made to Daniels in 2016 to keep her alleged affair with Trump quiet. Despite the indictment, Trump maintains his innocence.
GOP Weighing Their Options
As the news of the indictment broke, GOP lawmakers began weighing their options and floating subpoenas. Some Republicans are even considering blaming Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg if charges are brought against Trump, but won’t blame him or Michael Cohen. According to them, Bragg is overseeing the case against Trump and is therefore responsible for any wrongdoings.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has called for committees to probe Bragg’s investigation, and multiple Republican lawmakers have requested testimony and documents from Bragg. Democrats say Bragg is being used as a scapegoat for the GOP, who are searching for someone to blame for Trump’s apparent wrongdoings. Bragg’s office has stated that it is “not appropriate for Congress to interfere with pending local investigations” and that the inquiry by federal lawmakers “serves only to hinder, disrupt and undermine the legitimate work of our dedicated prosecutors.”
Trump’s Supporters Remain Loyal
Despite facing multiple criminal probes and potential indictments, Donald Trump remains popular among his supporters. On a recent weekend in Waco, Texas, large numbers of Trump supporters came out to show their support for him. They displayed banners saying “Trump 2024” and “Stop witch hunts.”
However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has become the new enemy of Trump’s supporters, with some calling for his arrest on charges of treason and election interference. This comes as no surprise since Trump has always promised revenge against anyone he perceives as part of the “deep state.”
American Democracy in a “Doom Loop”
Since 2015, American democracy has been in a “doom loop,” according to some analysts. Prosecuting Trump for his alleged crimes may be necessary to keep the republic even if it leads to a civil war. However, Trump’s potential indictments may be making him stronger, as his supporters rally around him and celebrate the Capitol Hill insurrection.
Legal analyst and attorney Norman Eisen believes that the hush money case is strong and essential for democracy since Trump booked hush payments as legal fees, a violation of New York’s false financial books and records statute that’s a felony. Representative Don Bacon trusts the fairness of the US legal system to determine if the prosecution is partisan or not.
Conclusion
The timeline for a possible indictment is unclear, leaving Republicans with a longer window to weigh their options. Some Republicans hope their interference won’t be needed after all. However, regardless of what happens, this case is sure to have far-reaching consequences for both Donald Trump and American democracy as a whole.
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