Ironically, the history of criminal activity among U.S. presidents is not a novel occurrence- several presidents both in office at the time and after their terms have been charged, and in some cases, convicted across the board for illegal actions and behavior.
Former president Donald Trump is one of these individuals, currently wading through an intensive crusade of legal action on the nationwide level after his four-year presidential term from 2017 to 2021, and the controversial actions that followed.
Most recently, a Georgia judge has dismissed six charges against the former president in an election interference case, referring to his involvement and alleged encouragement/enablement of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Citing that the charges brought forward accusing Trump and his allies of soliciting public officials to break the law were not “specific enough”.
The judge did retain the rest of the “racketeering indictment”, originally consisting of 41 counts against 19 defendants, four of whom have pleaded guilty.
Although every criminal charge deserves a just and swift resolution, one cannot help but hold the charges held against the past (and potential future) president as he fully embraces and prepares for his second presidential run for the 2025-2029 term. Why are we allowing an individual with such a complex legal past riddled with charges, indictments, and hearings to hold the most powerful and legally influential office in the nation?
From controversial phone calls to foreign and domestic powers engaging in arguably treasonous behavior, to endless sexual assault charges, to concealment of important government documents, Trump has made it abundantly clear that he is not a reliable or honest person to entrust the presidency to.
Beyond his political affiliations with the conservative mindset and Republican party, the nation deserves to be represented by a law-abiding citizen who acts with duty, honor, and respect of the law- characteristics that we simply have not seen time and time again over the course of the last 8 years from Mr. Trump.
As his remaining lawsuits drag on into the deep-end of this election cycle, be sure to truly consider his entire character, as well as the entire character of other front-running candidates, when casting your vote this fall.
