Trump's Guilty Verdict - Now to the Independents

First off, what exactly was Trump found guilty of? According to the jury, the technical term is “falsifying business records.” Specifically, Donald Trump made undocumented payments to adult actress Stormy Daniels following an affair between the two, which supposedly threatened to ruin his reputation and derail his 2016 election campaign. The charges pressed against Trump could also potentially carry time in prison with them. Trump is scheduled to hear a verdict on his possible criminal sentence on July 11th, which is just days before the Republican Party Convention. The typical prison time for falsifying business records is four years, although some tend to serve less time, or simply get away with a fine. Even if the jury does put Trump behind bars, there are no formal stipulations in the Constitution preventing an individual from running for president if they are a convicted felon, or even in prison. 

 

Now, I would like to take a moment to examine the potential implications of this guilty verdict from the views of the Democrats, Republicans, and the undecided voters. 

 

Undoubtedly, this is a huge win for the Democratic party. Many Democrats feel as if there is no possibility that anyone could possibly vote for a former president who was convicted of a federal crime. While President Joe Biden did not make an official statement on the verdict, there is no doubt that the guilty charges will be able to push forward his political campaign (more on that later). Despite this, there are eyes on the Democratic Party right now, as many opposites on the right wing are accusing them of setting up a trial in order to hinder the process of Trump’s campaign, and his possible eventual election. Of course, there is no way to know whether the Democrats had this intention all along, so we can expect 

both sides to keep pointing fingers until election day. 

 

Next, the Republicans. In general, Republicans are seen to be more radical in terms of the two parties. Usually, this causes issues and some controversy, but there is a chance that it would work in favor of Donald Trump when November rolls around. Hardcore Republicans are very unlikely to change their voting stance because of the verdict. Those on the right thought that Trump was innocent before and it is highly unlikely that they will change their opinion following the ruling. As we discussed before, most Republicans, Trump included, are claiming that the charges against Donald Trump have been blown out of proportion; he had no intention of manipulating the election, but simply paying off some debts! Similarly, Republicans accuse Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats of “weaponizing the judicial system” through the process of trying Trump for crimes that were supposedly blown out of proportion. If Joe Biden is found to be affiliated with the judicial process of Trump’s trial, it will be a huge blow for his upcoming campaign, and many will question both the morality and legality of the use of trial in court against a political opponent. 

 

So, if neither the Democrats or Republicans are willing to change their stance, how does this guilty verdict matter at all? This is where the swing voters come in. With a large population of United States voters being undecided about whether they will vote blue or red come election day, it is vital not to discount them in the implications of this court case. With Biden’s approval ratings from the general public at an all-time low right now, the majority of the middle-ground populations wants Biden to take more action- not less. Furthermore, there are discussions of his age and healthspan, and whether or not Biden can handle another four years in the Oval Office. Meanwhile, swing voters are equally weary of Trump’s radical policies and opinions that landed him in this fraud case in the first place. As an ultimatum, it is up to the swing voters on whether or not they want to perceive Donald Trump as the man who had 34 counts of fraud under his name, or simply a politician who has been targeted by the opposing party through the judicial system.