Donald Trump may be able to run for president in the upcoming election without facing any legal consequences for his actions related to the last election, despite polls showing that most Americans believe he committed serious crimes. Republican senators played a crucial role in allowing Trump to avoid consequences, with Mitch McConnell delaying the impeachment trial until after Trump left office, ultimately leading to his acquittal. Some Republican senators, including Richard Burr and Mitt Romney, did vote to convict Trump, but others who were critical of him in private still voted to acquit, allowing him to potentially be the Republican nominee in the upcoming election.
After Trump was acquitted by the Senate, the focus shifted to criminal investigations related to his postelection actions. However, these investigations moved slowly, with Attorney General Merrick Garland and his deputy, Lisa Monaco, proceeding with caution to avoid appearing partisan. The investigation by the Justice Department did not result in charges against Trump until August 2023. At the state level, the prosecution in Georgia for election interference has also faced challenges, with delays caused by a sprawling indictment and conflicts of interest.
The Supreme Court also played a role in allowing Trump to avoid legal consequences, causing delays in his federal trial for election interference. The justices declined to hear Trump’s appeal on an expedited schedule, then agreed to hear the case and indicated they would issue a broad ruling that could take months. Critics have noted that the approach taken by Republican-appointed justices in both 2000 and 2024 seemed to benefit the Republican presidential nominee, whether through fast, narrow rulings or slow, broad rulings that may impact the timing of legal proceedings.
Throughout the various decisions made by senators, prosecutors, and justices, Trump’s central legal strategy of delay has been effective. This strategy has been used by Trump in the past to fight investigations during his business career, and it appears to have worked again in this campaign. While one trial related to Trump’s payment of hush money in 2016 has moved ahead in New York, other legal proceedings may not start before the 2024 election. Overall, the lack of legal consequences for Trump’s actions related to the last election has raised questions about accountability and the rule of law in the United States.
