Former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann recently warned that Donald Trump’s legal troubles could get worse if he loses the 2024 election. Trump was convicted on 34 felony charges earlier this year for falsifying business records. These charges are connected to a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, which Trump tried to hide before the 2016 election. Trump has denied the affair, but the court found enough evidence to convict him.
Last week, a judge decided to delay Trump’s sentencing until after the election in November. Some thought this was good for Trump, but Weissmann believes it could actually hurt him. He explained,
“Sentencing Donald Trump after the election, if he loses, makes it much more likely that you can think about sending him to jail.”
At that point, Trump would no longer be a presidential candidate but just a regular citizen. This could make it easier for the court to give him a harsher sentence, including jail time.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
This isn’t the first time Trump has faced legal problems. In 2018, he was caught up in a major scandal when his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations. Cohen admitted that he made payments to Stormy Daniels and another woman, Karen McDougal, to keep them quiet about their alleged affairs with Trump. Cohen said he did this “at the direction” of Trump to influence the 2016 election. While Cohen went to jail for his role in the crime, Trump wasn’t charged while he was president. Back in 2019, he was impeached by the House of Representatives for trying to get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden’s family. While Trump wasn’t removed from office because the Senate didn’t convict him, the impeachment showed his willingness to push legal boundaries. This cases closely resembles Trump’s current conviction, showing a pattern of bending or breaking the law for personal gain.
Weissmann also pointed out that sentencing Trump after the election would make the case “more apolitical.” This means the legal system would be less likely to be seen as trying to influence the election. In fact, Weissmann said the Supreme Court might be less likely to get involved if Trump is no longer running for office. It’s important to note that while Trump faces up to four years in jail, the judge could still choose to give him probation or community service instead.
Trump’s legal issues highlight a bigger problem within the Republican Party. Instead of holding Trump accountable, the party has continued to stand behind him. This raises questions about whether the Republicans still care about honesty, fairness, and the rule of law. Trump has been at the center of multiple scandals and legal cases, but his supporters and many in the Republican Party continue to defend him.
This loyalty to Trump is troubling for the future of the party and the country. The Republican Party used to stand for strong American values, but now it seems to protect a man who has repeatedly shown a disregard for the law. By defending Trump, the party is sending a message that powerful people don’t have to follow the same rules as everyone else.
Weissmann’s warning should remind us that no one is above the law—not even a former president. If Trump loses the election, he could be facing jail time, which would be a significant moment in U.S. history. This would send a clear message that even the most powerful individuals must answer for their actions.
Featured image via Screengrab
