The Trump Indictment
June 7, 2023
A note from the Editor-In-Chief:
While this article is quite similar to another one posted a few days ago, it was actually written first. We publish close to 30 articles a month, and somehow, Keely’s research into the indictment last month got lost in the shuffle. Even though this makes our news-based publications this month a little repetitive, I am choosing to publish it anyway. My responsibility, second only to that of journalistic integrity, is to support my students’ growth as journalists, and Keely has shown that growth.
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Since the 2016 election, about 4 years ago, Donald Trump has been well known to all Americans. With lots of opinions, thoughts and controversy surrounding his persona, there is always something to be of interest with Mr.Trump. As of April 4th, 2023, Trump has been indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. Trump is accused of falsifying 34 counts of business records, in the first degree, under New York law. So what is “Falsifying business records?” According to Penal Law § 175.10 falsifying business records in the first degree, (Trumps charges), is when a person changes or tampers with one’s own business records with the intent to conceal, aid, defraud, or commit another crime. If the defendant has proven the amount of evidence to be held against them to be wrong with defending evidence, then the defendant must be found not guilty, and the other way around.
Trump’s counts against him are connected to the so-called “hush money” payment he supposedly made to the adult film star Stormy Daniels in October of 2016, before the 2016 election. Sources say that Trump arranged a $130,000 payment to Daniels for the sexual relationship Stormy states she had with Trump in 2006.
This is “the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges,” states CNN. In reality, Trump is not the first current or former president to face criminal charges. What other presidents have had criminal charges you may ask? Well the most recent is the impeachment of Bill Clinton, he was accused of having an affair with his intern, Monica Lewinsky, in the Oval Office of the White House. Clinton was found guilty and charged with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. Lying to the jury can also be referred to as perjury, this is when you make false statements under oath, and this is a criminal charge. So while he is the first to face this many of them, Trump is not the first ever former president with criminal charges.
Unless the charges against Trump are dismissed or he makes a deal with prosecutors, this case will go to trial, there is no set date for the potential trial, but most of these cases move slowly. If Trump is convicted of these counts criminal defense attorney Michael Mullen states that, “Despite who he is, for a non-violent E felony with no identifiable victim, a similarly situated defendant would normally not get jail time,” which means that experts are saying that Trump is not likely to face any jail time, this information leads to the big question, can Trump still be considered a 2024 presidential candidate? As of now, yes he can. According to our Constitution there are only 3 requirements to run for U.S president: Be 35 years old by Inauguration Day, be a natural-born citizen, and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. Trump has met the requirements.
Trump has pleaded not guilty on all charges. What the outcome of this situation may be, none can be sure, as the politics of the past few years have been the messiest they’ve ever been. Most political views of Trump are biased. Most political views of Biden are biased. Politics is the biggest spider web ever spun. To find the truth and real facts the saying “too find a needle in a haystack” comes to mind. But when it comes to the government, and political agendas, it’s like trying to find an ice cube in a burning house.
To keep up to date on the case, visit the following links:
