If the judge overseeing Donald Trump's hush money trial is to be taken at his word, America could be careening toward an unprecedented moment: A former U.S. president behind bars.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before departing Manhattan criminal court, Monday, May 6, 2024, in New York, U.S. Julia Nikhinson/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo WASH INGTON, May 7 - If the judge overseeing Donald Trump's hush money trial is to be taken at his word, America could be careening toward an unprecedented moment: A former U.S. president behind bars.
That could be particularly damaging for Trump with voters who remain undecided between him and Democratic President Joe Biden and are just tuning into the race with six months to go before the November election, the analysts said. Merchan called Trump's past statements "a direct attack on the rule of law" that he could not allow to continue even as he said jailing the former president would be "a last resort."
A photo of Trump in jail would likely prompt a similar response from the campaign that followed the release of hisTrump's campaign worked to turn the image into a political and commercial opportunity, with the photo ending up on T-shirts and beer coolers as a symbol of his defiance.for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and for allegedly mishandling classified documents.
"Independents are the key here, and their reaction will depend on whether the decision seems fair," said John Geer, an expert on public opinion at Vanderbilt University. "Given the number of violations of the gag order and the judge's effort to extend more chances to follow the rules, it may pose some problems for Trump."
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