“The law is the same for everyone,” warned Alvin Bragg, the New York prosecutor, accusing Donald Trump of never having “stopped lying”. The former president has denounced his indictment as an “insult to the nation”. Once back at his home in Mar-a-Lago, he claimed to have committed only “one crime”, that of “having fearlessly defended our country against those who seek to destroy it”. But after a highly publicized day, the billionaire was charged on Tuesday, April 4. Between a busy schedule, the presidential election, and other business, what’s next for Donald Trump?
Unsurprisingly, the former White House tenant pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts against him. In this case, the next appointment is scheduled for the end of the year. Justice mentioned an upcoming appearance and Juan Merchan, the judge, announced the month of January 2024 as the start of his trial.
But this schedule could be delayed. The Washington Post announced preliminary hearings. During these, Donald Trump’s lawyers could file requests to dismiss or exclude charges. The daily specifies that they could also file requests about the trial schedule or the witnesses heard. Michael Meltsner, a criminal law expert, said the septuagenarian’s lawyers will file “a slew of appeals”.
After consultation of the constituent elements of the file in May, the defense will be able to file requests until August 8. The prosecution will have until September 19 to respond. Finally, the judge will rule on December 4, CNN says. Clearly, the calendar promises to be busy, but above all very uncertain.
Accounting falsifications are generally considered, in the State of New York, as simple offenses. On the other hand, they become offenses if they were committed to “cover up” another offense. “And that’s exactly the crux of the matter,” prosecutor Alvin Bragg said. An offense punishable by four years in prison.
This indictment does not prohibit Donald Trump from running in the 2024 presidential election and therefore from campaigning. In the United States, a criminally charged or convicted person can run for any office. There is only one scenario in which he should skip the election. According to the Constitution, participation in an “insurrection” or “rebellion” against the United States is the only exception to the performance of an official function. The Republican is under federal judicial investigation for his role in the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, but no charges have been brought against him at this point.
In the opposite camp, little doubt reigns over the Democratic candidate. But for now, Joe Biden is taking his time officially announcing his candidacy. In this indictment which affects his ex-adversary in 2020, the American president has chosen to stand back, refusing to comment on anything.
Donald Trump is far from done with justice. In addition to this charge for “falsification of financial documents”, he is at the heart of four other cases. The first, and the one likely to result in the most serious charges, is the assault on the Capitol. This whole thing lies in the role played by the billionaire. According to Board of Inquiry member Elaine Luria, he “lit the fuse, poured gasoline on the fire, and sat in the dining room of the White House watching the fire burn. And even today, he continues to fan those flames.”
Then comes the matter of the archives. In January 2022, fifteen boxes of documents were returned by Donald Trump. However, any outgoing president is obliged to transmit all of his e-mails, letters and other documents to the National Archives. The federal police even believe that he probably keeps others in his residence in Mar-a-Lago.
Finally, Donald Trump is accused of rape by journalist E. Jean Carroll. According to her, the facts would have taken place in a fitting room of a department store, in 1995. The facts being proscribed in 2019, she had not been able to file a complaint. But since November 2022, a law allows victims of sexual assault to relaunch their legal action for one year. She was therefore able to file a complaint for defamation, assault and assault.
