By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President-elect Donald Trump’s legal battles face a dramatically altered landscape following his electoral victory. Experts predict that his federal cases, already in jeopardy due to legal challenges and Supreme Court rulings, will likely be dismissed due to the long-standing practice of not criminally prosecuting a sitting president. Similarly, the Georgia case, while less certain, is expected to be either paused or dismissed, likely due to the statute of limitations expiring. While Trump’s New York sentencing is scheduled for late November, experts expect the outcome to be a mere financial penalty, with a prison sentence highly unlikely given the nature of the charges and the impracticality of imprisoning a president with Secret Service protection.
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The potential for a second term of Donald Trump has left many Americans feeling a sense of dread. The prospect of him holding unchecked power, free from the threat of prosecution, is unsettling. Experts warn that with the leash off, he could do an “awful lot” without fear of legal consequences.
It’s not hard to see why people are worried. Trump has already shown a blatant disregard for the rule of law, and his first term was marked by numerous scandals and controversies. The ongoing investigation into his handling of classified documents is a prime example of this disregard. The fact that he recorded himself showing these documents to others, and that the FBI found boxes and boxes of them in his home, suggests a clear-cut case of wrongdoing. Yet, many fear that he will escape accountability if he returns to the White House.
The argument is that a president enjoys a certain level of immunity, making prosecution during their term practically impossible. While this isn’t technically true, as presidents are not immune to impeachment, the reality is that it’s a highly unlikely scenario. The political will to remove a president from office, especially one who commands a loyal base, is often lacking. And even if impeached, a president can still face a trial in the Senate, where a simple majority vote is needed for conviction. This makes a successful impeachment even less likely.
The worry isn’t just about Trump himself, but also about the precedent this sets. If a president can operate with such impunity, what message does it send about the rule of law? What does it say about our commitment to democratic principles? The fear is that this could open the door for future presidents to act similarly, further eroding the foundations of our democracy.
It’s also worth considering the potential impact on the country’s international standing. Trump’s first term was marked by a decline in America’s global leadership, and a second term could see this further deteriorate. Foreign leaders may be less inclined to engage with a president who operates outside the bounds of the law, and our allies may have to question our reliability as a partner.
It’s a chilling thought, but the reality is that Trump’s potential second term represents a real threat to our democracy. While it’s impossible to predict what he might do with unchecked power, the possibility of him continuing his pattern of disregard for the rule of law is a major cause for concern. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance, of holding our elected officials accountable, and of defending the very institutions that make our democracy possible.