Donald Trump’s indictment and arraignment is swirled in secrecy – escalating fears of a politically motivated kangaroo court more fit for a totalitarian regime than a democracy.
The sealed indictment of the former president, along with a possible gag order on Trump and a camera ban in the courtroom, is exactly the opposite of a transparent process that should be taking place.
While the indictment is supposed to be released today when Trump is officially booked, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s decision to keep it secret until now has only fueled speculation about what charges Trump will face. It reportedly includes about two dozen counts related to hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump’s lawyers are asking the Manhattan court to ban cameras during Trump’s arraignment, a move that the media is fighting.
Trump’s lawyers also reportedly fear the judge in his case will try to implement a gag order on the former president, effectively muzzling him for months in the middle of his campaign for the White House.
“The Trump legal team now thinks that the Manhattan judge will take the unprecedented step of silencing the presidential front-runner with an unconstitutional gag order,” a source told the Daily Mail. “The Trump legal team is considering adding a First Amendment lawyer to the effort to combat this and will fight it all the way.”
That would prevent Trump from trying to capitalize politically on his indictment by firing up his conservative base. Trump is planning to speak back in Florida after he faces criminal charges. If he breaks a gag order, he could be hit with fines and imprisonment.
There’s also widespread speculation about the likely mugshot of Trump, an iconic image that will quickly go viral around the world.
Could it benefit Trump or hurt him? Will he be smiling or scowling? It could generate sympathy or cement his status as a crook.
One thing’s for sure – the photo will be on t-shirts sold by Democratic vendors and used by Trump supporters to portray him as a martyr of politically motivated prosecutors attempting to sidetrack his presidential hopes.
Prosecutors are reportedly not planning any handcuffs or a perp walk for Trump as he surrenders in New York, but he may want to be photographed entering the courtroom triumphantly.
The media coverage of Trump’s arraignment – the first time a former president has ever been charged with a crime – is already playing out like an out-of-control TV reality show.
In an OJ-like scene, cameras and helicopters followed Trump’s motorcade in West Palm Beach, Florida on Monday afternoon and then his airplane emblazoned with “Trump” as it taxied down the runway and flew off for New York.
President Biden, meanwhile, made his first comments on Trump’s case as he toured a plant in Minnesota, saying he wasn’t worried about unrest in New York.
“I have faith in the New York Police Department,” Biden said.
