Considering the momentousness of the occasion, watching Donald Trump heading to court along Washington DC’s expressways felt oddly familiar. That the arraignment of a former president could appear in any way routine is startling — but given this was his third trip to a court to face charges, perhaps understandable.
Trump is no longer a new phenomenon. Americans know exactly who they’re dealing with. His lies are well documented, his personal flaws exposed. And yet, even in the face of severe legal jeopardy, support among his base is — incredibly to many — solidifying.
He is the undisputed frontrunner for the Republican candidacy for the presidential election and virtually tied with Joe Biden in recent polls.
What’s more, Trump’s “big lie” has taken hold. A CNN poll released yesterday revealed that 69 per cent of Republicans do not believe Biden legitimately won the presidency.
Across party lines, 58 per cent have little or no confidence in US elections, and 50 per cent say the prospect of an election being overturned for partisan reasons is either “likely” or “somewhat likely”.
While Trump is raising money off the back of his legal predicaments, he is also spending it fast — much of it on his own lawyers. His political action committee has spent $40 million on legal fees this year.
Former attorney general Bill Barr said he finds this nauseating. “He goes out and raises money from hard-working people, and a lot of this seems to be going to his legal fees,” he said. The hope among Trump’s opponents is that his courtroom dramas will curtail his re-election, but this may be misplaced.
The Founding Fathers covered a lot of bases in drawing up their nation’s constitution, but they did not anticipate Donald Trump. UCLA law professor Richard L Hasen believes Trump still has a path back to the White House next year.
“The constitution has very few requirements to serve as president,” he told CNN. “It does not bar anyone indicted, or convicted, or even serving jail time, from running as president and winning the presidency.”
There is some hope for US democracy though: CNN’s poll showed that 61 per cent believe Biden won the 2020 election fair and square — but the partisan divide is widening.
Outside the DC court awaiting the former president’s arrival stood a couple holding a banner stating “Trump or Death”, alongside two dates — 1776 and 2024. America might not yet be heading for another revolution, but trenches are being dug in an increasingly bitter battle for its soul.
