Alvin Bragg’s Botched Job

 

For whatever reason that made him to indict Trump, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has miscalculated. For this indictment could be the best thing that happened to Trump, simply because it could have unintended consequences that ultimately end up benefiting him and making him the personification of the phrase "what didn't kill him makes him stronger."

 

The news that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office had issued the indictment of a former president Donald Trump grabbed all the headlines last week, probably because this is uncharted territory for the American legal system, the American government and for the country, which has never seen the indictment and prosecution of a former president. Though the precise evidence against Trump remains unknown, the reason for his indictment appears centered on hush money payments to a porn actress, Stormy Daniels, in 2016 – a payment which, according to media reports, was made to silence her allegations of a sexual relationship during Trump’s first presidential bid.

There can be little doubt that the motivations behind this indictment are solely political, with the end goal of hindering Trump's ability to make a political comeback. If one examines the context of this indictment, they cannot fail to conclude that it is a political vendetta. Just consider this:  Alvin Bragg’s office pushed for the indictment after Trump's recent announcement that he intends to run for president again. Alvin Bragg probably knows that the move could severely damage his chances of winning over voters and mounting a successful campaign. Furthermore, given that 2024 Presidential election is just around the corner, Mr. Braggs figured any form of indictment could have a significant impact on the outcome of the race, potentially shifting public opinion and swaying voters away from Trump.

 According to published evidence, Alvin Bragg’s office and most politicians of the Democrat party had  claimed that Trump’s indictment is not a political stunt, but rather a necessary step to hold Trump accountable for any criminal activity he may have engaged in. They argue that no one, not even a former president, should be above the law, and that failure to hold powerful figures accountable could erode public trust in government institutions.

 Nonsense: If this indictment is not a political maneuver against Trump, then why did the New York District Attorney choose to do it now, after Trump stated his desire to run for president in 2024? If it is not a political move, then why did the New York District Attorney choose to do it now? Why didn't he take action like this, say, three years ago while the matter was still open and the statute of limitations hadn't run out? After all, they had access to all of the data that was necessary to move forward and construct a compelling case against Trump at that time. Yet they made the decision not to.

 The truth is that Donald Trump has been under the microscope of local district attorneys in New York and Georgia for potential prosecution for some time. These district attorneys are widely politically ambitious and has the goal of using Trump as a means of advancing their own careers. In New York, the investigations center around allegations of financial impropriety and tax fraud, while in Georgia, they center around alleged interference in the state's 2020 presidential election. These investigations have been ongoing for some time, and there is no clear end in sight. Furthermore, the federal Justice Department has also been pursuing potential prosecution of Trump for various reasons.

 Just like Alvin Bragg , the New York Attorney General Letitia James has also been at the forefront of a civil investigation into the Trump Organization and its various business dealings. The investigation has been ongoing for several years and has focused on potential financial impropriety, tax fraud, and other forms of misconduct. James has been particularly vocal about her determination to hold the Trump Organization accountable for any wrongdoing, and her office has issued numerous subpoenas and requested documents related to the organization's finances and business practices.

Before Alvin Bragg came into the picture, his predecessor, DA Cy Vance, was conducting  a parallel criminal investigation into the Trump Organization. The investigation is believed to center around many of the same issues as the civil investigation, including potential financial impropriety and tax fraud. Vance has been similarly vocal about his determination to hold the Trump Organization accountable for any criminal behavior, and his office has reportedly convened a grand jury to consider charges against the organization and its executives. The two investigations are independent of each other, but they are believed to be closely intertwined, and many observers believe that they could ultimately lead to criminal charges against the former president or members of his inner circle.

So, what does this evidence suggest about the new indictment against Trump? The obvious one is that the liberal Democratic party's allergic reaction to any conservative or outsider who gains considerable support from the electorate is glaringly clear. This is why they are resorting to political persecution and other extreme methods to hinder Trump's ability to raise money for political candidates. It's worth remembering that many political candidates rely on the assistance of well-known personalities in order to collect money and win endorsements. If Trump's image takes a hit, he may be less willing to lend his name and reputation to candidates. Any serious harm to a candidate's reputation or credibility in today's political climate might have a negative impact on that candidate's potential to win elections.

 

Pass the Salt, Please

Don't get me wrong, though. Trump is not an angel. In actuality, he had a reputation for being contentious ever since he entered politics. While he enjoys a sizable base of fans who see him as an advocate for conservative ideals and a political outsider, he has also come under harsh condemnation for his actions both before and during his presidency. For instance, Trump is renowned for his gruff and aggressive demeanor and has a history of making contentious claims about a variety of subjects. Thus, I don't believe anyone will have an issue with his indictment  provided it is issued in good faith and Mr. Bragg's decision is not influenced by politics. After all, Americans hold that the Constitution is supreme and that everyone, including Donald Trump, is subject to the law. The difficulty is that this indictment is very different. That is actually a political voodoo aimed at Donald Trump. Simply said, while I am not ashamed to admit that Trump is not the “goose that lays golden eggs” when it comes to politics, and that he do outrageous things sometimes, I also believe that the woke apologists and the Democratic political establishment have unfairly targeted him.

Nevertheless, I am also convinced that District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who came into office touting liberal non-prosecution policies, have stabbed himself on the foot with this Trump’s indictment. Let me put it as politely as I can: for whatever reason that made him to make this move, he has miscalculated, for four reasons. First, this indictment could potentially backfire on the district attorney's office. Even if we choose to believe his claim that his office did this to hold Trump accountable for any potential wrongdoing, the political and legal implications of the move would be significant. Indicting a former president could be seen as politically motivated and could fuel accusations of partisan bias, particularly given the contentious nature of Trump's presidency. Additionally, a high-profile trial could draw attention away from other important issues and could further polarize an already divided electorate. Furthermore, the burden of proof required in a criminal trial is high, and in the coming weeks the whole world will be watching to see whether the evidence is strong enough to secure a conviction.

 The second reason is that this indictment could be the best thing that happened to Trump, simply because it could have unintended consequences that ultimately end up benefiting him and making him the personification of the phrase "what didn't kill him makes him stronger." Even though Mr. Bragg and the Democratic establishment may hate Trump with every fiber of their being, they cannot deny the fact that Trump has a large and devoted base of supporters who are fiercely loyal to him, and who may view any legal action against him as politically motivated persecution. In fact, this indictment could even serve to further solidify his base and rally support around him, with many of his followers seeing it as evidence that he is being unfairly targeted by the "deep state" or other political enemies.

Another factor that could work in Trump's favor is the attention that an indictment would bring. Even negative attention can be helpful in politics, as it keeps a person in the public eye and keeps them at the forefront of people's minds. Trump has always been adept at using the media to his advantage, and an indictment could allow him to continue to dominate the news cycle, which has been a major factor in his political success. Moreover, any legal action against Trump could also serve to keep him relevant and in the conversation. Trump has always been a polarizing figure, and an indictment would only serve to amplify that. People who may have been apathetic towards him before could suddenly become interested, and his loyal base would likely become even more energized. In other words, an indictment could actually work to Trump's advantage by keeping him in the public eye and keeping people talking about him.

 This indictment can equally give Trump a sense of victimhood. Trump has always portrayed himself as an outsider fighting against the establishment, and an indictment would only serve to reinforce that narrative. If he is able to convince his supporters that he is being unfairly targeted by the "deep state" or other political enemies, then he could use that to his advantage to rally his base and garner sympathy from undecided voters.

Having Trump face charges might also make him more of a martyr in the eyes of his supporters. To many of his fans, this  indictment would lend credence to their belief that he is being persecuted by the political and media establishment. If Trump can exploit his legal woes as a rallying cry for his supporters, he may emerge from any legal battles stronger than before. A charge would also give Trump the chance to play the underdog, a role he has always relished. Trump has always portrayed himself as a fighter; if convicted, he may be able to prove to his supporters that he would fight even if the deck is stacked against him. This might strengthen his standing with his base and win over those still on the fence about him but drawn to his doggedness.

 It's also important to consider the prospect that an indictment would allow Trump to continue utilizing the victim narrative long after any court processes had completed. It is possible that he may continue to utilize his legal troubles to keep himself in the public eye even if he is eventually found guilty. He might be able to rally his fans and get his political agenda farther along with this. Last but not least, this indictment would boost Trump’s  image as a political outsider who operates outside the norms of the political system. He has worked hard to cultivate this image, and this indictment would only serve to bolster it. If Trump can convince his supporters that he is being singled out by the political establishment (which is very possible), he may be able to utilize this to rally his base and forward his political agenda.

Although he may not realize it at the moment, District Attorney Alvin Bragg has painted himself into a position, and I feel terrible for him. In the following weeks, we will be watching to see how this drama unfolds. For the time being, I'd rather consider the courageous words of American businessman and philanthropist Warren Buffet, who once said, "When the tide goes out, that's when you discover who's swimming naked."

 

 

 Notes

 

Cheney, K., Carney , J., & Orden, E. (2023, March 31). ‘Unlawful Political Interference’: Bragg Defends Trump Indictment Against GOP Attacks. Retrieved from Yahoo! News: https://www.yahoo.com/news/unlawful-political-interference-bragg-defends-142220802.html

Cole, D. (2023). Donald Trump Has Been Indicted Following an Investigation Into a Hush Money Payment Scheme. Here’s What We Know. Retrieved from CNN Politics: https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/31/politics/trump-indictment-what-to-know/index.html

Gorlon, M. (2020, June 13). What Does the Saying “When the Tide Goes Out, You Find Out Who is Swimming Naked” Mean? Retrieved from Medium: https://gorlon.medium.com/what-does-the-saying-when-the-tide-goes-out-you-find-out-who-is-swimming-naked-mean-4d28b79b0b69

Halpert, M. (2023). Trump and Stormy Daniels Cash in on Merchandise After Indictment. Retrieved from BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65143479

Malcolm, J., Smith, Z., & von Spakovsky, H. A. (2023, March 31). The Indictment of Donald Trump: The Players and the Cards They’re Playing. Retrieved from The Heritage Foundation: https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/the-indictment-donald-trump-the-players-and-the-cards-theyre-playing