The Campaign: New York, Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania
Events in four states illustrate the state of play
Contrary to conventional wisdom, Donald Trump’s presidential aspirations are not well served by being a criminal defendant.
While the former commander-in-chief was being sent to the principal’s office for disobeying orders to stop his bullying, he watched his coup conspirators face new charges, his successor leave a political marker in his home state, and Republican voters send another warning that the bullying act is growing stale.
Yesterday’s Supreme Court oral arguments about Trump’s total immunity claims grabbed the headlines (more on that Monday), but a wider focus on this week’s campaign news paints a portrait in contrasts, illustrated by events in New York, Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
New York: Political Imprisonment
Maybe Judge Juan Merchan will never put Donald Trump in jail for multiple blatant violations of his gag order. Or perhaps he’ll reach the point where he feels he has no choice.
Regardless, with just three trial days in the books and weeks more ahead, Trump is experiencing a kind of political confinement just by having to show up in court and play by someone else’s rules.
For a strongman, this is prison.
Remember, Trump’s entire act is dominance. His belittling of others, his willful disregard for the law, his norm-breaking—this is the essence of his appeal. Trump thrives on doing as he pleases and inviting his supporters to join him, indulging their desire to live in the world not as it is but as they wish it would be, where they have power over those who threaten them.
Trump can’t sustain this image as a criminal defendant.
In court he just looks weak.
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