You can be right when you least expect it. This is one of those moments.
In June, when I reported on the indictment against Donald Trump, in the classified document case, I thought that the DOJ had waited this long to indict the former president to maximize the damage to the country.
The DOJ will do what I predicted and many others have feared, which is to delay indicting Trump until after he has already won the Republican nomination. This could be the largest example of election meddling in American history, given that it is likely to result in a conviction (especially if this case is brought in a jurisdiction unfriendly). No matter how one feels about the overall merits of this case, it’s still unconscionable.
Aileen Cannon, the judge in this case, has now set a new date for the trial against Trump. This was done after his team requested a delay. The trial will now be held on May 20, 2024.
BREAKING: Judge Cannon sets Trump trial date for May 20, 2024
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) July 21, 2023
If you’ve followed previous presidential campaigns, you will know that this date is bad for Republicans. Trump’s trial will take place after most of the state primaries, and only a few weeks before the general elections. This means that the majority of GOP primary voters will not know about Trump’s legal problems before they cast their votes.
By the time the general elections roll around, everyone will be aware of the outcome of Trump’s legal issues. This includes the possibility that he is actually in jail (or house arrest at Mar-a-Lago) by then. This means that the DOJ has timed it perfectly to interfere with the election.
For Democrats, the date of the trial is the perfect compromise. Indictments have energized the candidate that Democrats openly stated they wanted to run against. If Trump is nominated as many suspect, Biden will face a wounded opponent.
Trump’s indictment for the January 6th incident will also likely be heard in the same time period between the majority of the primaries and the general elections. Depending on the charges, the former President could be banned from the ballot if he is convicted. Biden, in that case, would be running essentially without opposition.
If these trials are held before the Republican National Convention – which is likely at this stage given Cannon’s decision – the Republicans may be in for a civil war, regardless of the results of the primaries, fracturing their party and dooming them on election day.
Unfortunately, given the current attitude within the Republican Party, I can’t imagine how Republicans could escape this buzzsaw. No matter how much evidence there is or isn’t, any suggestion that someone else should be the nominee is met with accusations. The GOP’s current path makes it very likely that Joe Biden would win another term. This would be the ultimate act to give in to the deep state. Rock, meet hard place.
I still hold the same position. Vote for the candidate you believe has the best chance of winning the general election and will be able to deliver on your most important policy positions. All the rest is noise. Vote for Donald Trump if you believe that what I have just said is true. Vote for another candidate if you believe they are a better option in the current climate.
You should not vote for someone because you think you will teach the Deep State a lesson through protest voting. This should not be the motivation. Whatever it takes, you should only care about winning in 2024.