Former President Donald Trump’s projected win in the 2024 election is likely to have significant implications for his ongoing legal battles. With his return to the White House all but certain, Trump stands to benefit from potential immunity and the ability to appoint officials who could drop criminal charges against him. Trump faces four pending criminal cases, including federal charges related to attempting to overturn the 2020 election and withholding White House documents, a conviction in New York state court for falsifying business records, and state charges in Georgia for similar election-related offenses.
One of the federal cases against Trump involves allegations of attempting to overturn the 2020 election. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the investigation, is likely to be fired by Trump once he takes office, leading to the expected dropping of these charges. Additionally, Trump’s federal documents case, which was currently on appeal, is also expected to be dropped once he assumes the presidency. Reports indicate that the Justice Department is actively discussing how to end the prosecutions against Trump before he officially takes office.
In New York, where Trump is facing a conviction on multiple felony counts, he cannot pardon himself or have the case dropped. However, his election is likely to delay his sentencing, scheduled for November, or potentially allow him to avoid serving any sentence until after he leaves office. Similarly, Trump’s charges in Georgia, which are currently on hold pending a decision on the district attorney’s involvement in the case, are expected to be delayed until after Trump’s potential second term in office.
The outcome of Trump’s New York case will likely be determined by Judge Juan Merchan, who is scheduled to rule on the charges on November 12. Trump has asked for the charges to be thrown out based on a Supreme Court ruling that provides some immunity for former presidents. In addition to his criminal cases, Trump also faces several civil cases, including defamation cases and a civil fraud case, which will not be affected by his election. These civil cases could result in significant financial liabilities for Trump, as he has already been ordered to pay millions of dollars in judgments.
While Trump has vowed to fire Special Counsel Jack Smith upon taking office, the decision to hire and fire special counsels lies with the attorney general. However, Trump is expected to appoint an attorney general who will align with his interests and potentially dismiss the charges against him. Trump’s ability to avoid most of his criminal charges is a result of successful delays in the legal process, which have postponed trials and sentencing dates. Trump’s legal battles have been characterized by strategic legal maneuvering and delays to ensure the most favorable outcomes for the former president.
As Trump navigates his legal challenges and potential immunity as a sitting or former president, the implications of his legal battles and potential outcomes will continue to unfold. The complex interplay between criminal charges, civil cases, and potential immunity raises questions about the accountability of public officials and the mechanisms for holding them responsible for their actions. Trump’s legal battles underscore the complexities of the legal system and the potential for abuse of power by those in positions of authority.
