Perspective: A significant gain for Trump
Trump-appointed judge Aileen Cannon, overseeing the classified documents case in Florida, has significantly decreased the chances of a verdict before November 5. Through unusual court proceedings, she has granted unrelated groups the opportunity to plead in court, rescheduled some hearings without specifying new dates, and set additional ones. One hearing even tackles a request for a gag order to limit Trump's inflammatory rhetoric about law enforcement.
Trump experienced a notable success with the Georgia election subversion case being paused until a group of judges decides on the disqualification of District Attorney Fani Willis due to her connections with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Significant delays have also occurred in the federal election interference case, as the Supreme Court is yet to make a decision on Trump's claim of presidential immunity. The trial date can't be scheduled by Judge Tanya Chutkan until the Supreme Court announces its verdict, and the court's ruling could potentially cause further delays.
Such delays would significantly benefit Trump. While they reduce the likelihood of an acquittal that would vindicate him, they also prevent the impact of another potential conviction. Instead, delays enable Trump to continually rant against the justice system while maintaining the status quo, retaining an advantage in most swing states.
However, with no resolutions in the three remaining cases, voters may have difficulty making informed decisions based on definitive information by November. If Trump is re-elected, he could potentially use his presidential powers to pardon himself in these federal cases.
The New York hush money case, initially considered the least severe of the criminal cases against Trump, seems to have left a mark. Even though Republicans swiftly rallied to support Trump, early polls show that his misdemeanor conviction for falsifying business records has impacted his status. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll, before the verdict, Trump led Biden by three points, but after the conviction, the difference was reduced to just one point.
Though these poll results aren't significant, even minor shifts in the electorate might determine the outcome in several crucial swing states. If courts pass guilty verdicts in the federal election interference or classified documents cases, the political ramifications, especially for moderate and independent voters, could be more profound.
Despite the periodic setbacks, many believe that accountability will be challenging to attain in the current Trump era. Congress failed in this endeavor through impeachment, as Republicans safeguarded Trump. The press has found it hard to confront the torrent of Trump's lies and misleading assertions. While the House select committee effectively presented evidence and testimony accusing Trump of attempting to disrupt the 2021 presidential election on January 6, it was not immune to partisan attacks. After Trump's presidency, the legal system has emerged as the best and final hope for justice.
For now, it seems that accountability will have to be postponed, as the three remaining criminal cases against Trump may linger indefinitely until after November 5.
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Trump's supporters might argue that the delays benefiting him in his legal cases are a reflection of the fairness of the justice system. Some opinions suggest that these delays could potentially allow Trump to present a more favorable narrative leading up to the elections.
The ongoing legal disputes have fueled diverse opinions among political analysts and pundits, with some arguing that a delay could potentially work in Trump's favor by keeping the focus on his rhetoric rather than the specific details of the cases.
