Former United States President Donald Trump expects to be arrested this Tuesday due to an ongoing investigation into his involvement with paying adult film star Stormy Daniels with hush money. Trump’s imminent arrest comes from supposed leaks from the justice department and the district attorney’s office, but neither has made any official statements at this time. It is also unknown what the exact charges could be that would Indite Trump.
Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump
The Stormy Daniels scandal involving former President Donald Trump is a high-profile controversy that captivated the nation in 2018. Stormy Daniels, or Stephanie Clifford, is an adult film actress who claimed to have had an affair with Trump in 2006. Daniels alleged that Trump paid her $130,000 in hush money just days before the 2016 presidential election to keep quiet about their affair.
Trump initially denied the allegations, but his lawyer eventually admitted to the payment. Daniels filed a lawsuit to be released from the non-disclosure agreement, arguing that it was invalid because Trump had not signed it. The case went to court but was eventually dismissed.
History of Presidential Criminal Controversy
Throughout the history of the United States, there have been instances where former presidents or high-ranking government officials have been arrested and charged with various crimes.
1. Richard Nixon-Perhaps the most well-known example of a former president being arrested is Richard Nixon. Following the Watergate scandal involving the illegal wiretapping of Democratic National Committee headquarters during the 1972 presidential campaign, Nixon resigned from office in August 1974.
Two years later, his successor, President Gerald Ford, granted him a full pardon for any crimes he may have committed during his time in office. However, several members of his administration were arrested and charged for their involvement in the scandal, including Attorney General John Mitchell, White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, and White House Counsel John Dean.
2. Ulysses S. Grant Administration –During the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant, several high-ranking officials were implicated in the Whiskey Ring scandal. The Whiskey Ring was a group of distillers, government officials, and politicians who conspired to defraud the government of millions of dollars in excise tax revenue.
Several members of Grant’s administration, including Secretary of War William Belknap, were implicated in the scandal. Belknap was the first cabinet member to be impeached and was charged with bribery and corruption. Although he was impeached by the House of Representatives, he resigned before his trial.
3. William Henry Harrison –William Henry Harrison is the shortest-serving president in U.S. history, having died just 32 days after taking office. However, during his brief tenure, Harrison was involved in a scandal involving the improper distribution of government funds to his political allies. Although he was never arrested or charged with crimes, the scandal-tainted his presidency and contributed to his short time in office.
4. Aaron Burr –Aaron Burr was the third Vice President of the United States and is best known for his duel with Alexander Hamilton, which resulted in Hamilton’s death. However, Burr was also involved in a plot to establish a separate nation in the western United States, which he believed would be easier to govern than the existing country. The plot was discovered, and Burr was arrested and charged with treason. Although acquitted of the charges, the scandal ruined his political career and reputation.
5. Spiro Agnew –Spiro Agnew served as Vice President under President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973. However, in 1973, he was forced to resign from office after being charged with tax evasion and bribery. Agnew pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to three years’ probation and fined $10,000.
6. John Mitchell –John Mitchell served as Attorney General under President Nixon from 1969 to 1972. In 1975, he was arrested and charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury in connection with the Watergate scandal. Mitchell was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to 19 months in prison.
7. James A. Traficant Jr. –James A. Traficant Jr. served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1985 to 2002. In 2002, he was indicted on charges of bribery, racketeering, and tax evasion. Traficant represented himself in court and was found guilty on all charges. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and was expelled from the House of Representatives.
8. William W. Belknap –William W. Belknap served as Secretary of War under President Grant from 1869 to 1876. In 1876, he was impeached by the House.
Trumps imminent arrest will be a monumental moment in America’s political history. Not many presidents can say they spent time behind bars, let alone a past president still planning for re-election. Trump has made it clear that even if he is to be arrested, he will still be running for office in the 2024 presidential election.
What Does it Mean When a President is Found Guilty?
If a former president were found guilty of a crime, they would be subject to the same legal consequences as any other citizen. They could face fines, probation, or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime. Holding a former president accountable for their actions would likely be lengthy and complicated, involving investigations, hearings, and trials.
If a former president were found guilty of a crime, it would be a powerful reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and the principles of American democracy. It would demonstrate that no one, not even the most powerful individuals in the country, is above the law. It would also send a message that actions have consequences and that those who break the law will be held accountable.
Trump Calls Out to His Supporters
Presidents are not holier than thou or immune to criminal activity. Former president Donald Trump and his announcement of his imminent arrest have once again called on his supporters to riot and protest the arrest. Trump has said, “Protest, take our nation back.”
Trump’s statement is very reminiscent of his statement to insight into the attack on the United States capital on January 6th, 2021, led by Trump himself. Here is a reminder of what transpired that day and what America could possibly be facing once again.
January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol
On January 6th, 2021, a violent attack occurred at the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The attack occurred as Congress was certifying the electoral college votes from the 2020 presidential election. The rioters, who were supporters of former President Donald Trump, breached the Capitol building, vandalizing offices, breaking windows, and looting items. The incident resulted in the death of five individuals, including a Capitol police officer.
The attack followed weeks of false claims by Trump and his supporters that the election was stolen from him. Trump had repeatedly urged his supporters to come to Washington, D.C., on January 6th to protest the certification of the election results. He also gave a speech to his supporters shortly before the attack, urging them to “never give up” and “never concede.”
The attack was widely condemned by both Democrats and Republicans, with many lawmakers calling for Trump’s removal from office. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for his role in inciting the violence, making him the only president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. The Senate later acquitted him in a trial.
Trumps Other Criminal Controversies
Trump has been involved in several criminal controversies throughout his life and career, including during his presidency. One of the most significant controversies was the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, which Special Counsel Robert Mueller led.
The investigation, which began in May 2017, examined whether Trump or his campaign had colluded with Russia to influence the election outcome. While Mueller’s report did not find evidence of collusion, it did detail numerous instances of potential obstruction of justice by Trump and his administration. However, the Department of Justice determined that a sitting president cannot be indicted, so no charges were brought against Trump.
In addition to the Russia investigation, Trump has been involved in several other criminal controversies. He has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by multiple women, and there are ongoing investigations into his finances and business dealings. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office is investigating Trump’s business dealings, and the New York Attorney General’s office is conducting a civil investigation into the Trump Organization.
In February 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the Manhattan District Attorney could obtain Trump’s tax returns as part of the investigation. The investigation focuses on whether Trump and his company committed financial crimes, such as tax and insurance fraud.
Why You Cannot Trust Trump
If there isn’t yet enough evidence to convince you that Trump should be behind bars, let me remind you of all the other ways Trump has proven himself to be untrustworthy.
1. History of Lying – Trump has a long history of making false or misleading statements in his personal life and during his political career. According to fact-checking organizations, Trump made over 30,000 false or misleading statements during his time in office, leading to concerns about his credibility and trustworthiness.
2. Inconsistent Policy Positions – Trump has been criticized for his inconsistency on crucial policy issues, including healthcare, immigration, and foreign policy. Many have accused Trump of changing his positions on issues based on his political needs rather than moral stances or policy expertise.
3. Allegations of Corruption – Trump has faced numerous allegations of corruption and ethical violations, including conflicts of interest related to his business dealings and role as President. These allegations have raised concerns about Trump’s trustworthiness and commitment to upholding the rule of law.
4. Disregarding Democratic Norms – Trump has been criticized for disregarding democratic norms, including his attacks on the media, his use of executive power to circumvent Congress, and his efforts to undermine the independence of the judiciary. These actions have led many to question Trump’s respect for the democratic process and his commitment to upholding the Constitution.
5. Ties to Authoritarian Leaders – Trump has been accused of cozying up to authoritarian leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. These relationships have raised concerns about Trump’s willingness to undermine American interests and democratic values to pursue his personal agenda.
6. Lack of Transparency – Trump has been criticized for his lack of transparency in his personal life and political career. He has refused to release his tax returns, failed to fully divest from his business interests while in office, and been accused of obstructing investigations into his actions and those of his administration.
Trump has been and continues to be highly problematic and has gotten away with criminal activity for too long. What is most concerning is that even if Trump is arrested and convicted of all charges, he will still be backed by his delusional supporters. We will see what events transpire this coming Tuesday and if Trump’s imminent arrest actually occurs. Stay tuned!
South Florida Media Comments