Summary
Should he win, Trump would become the first convicted criminal to hold the office, granting him access to the nuclear codes, while defeat could lead to more trials and possible imprisonment.
Throughout his life, he has often evaded legal consequences—from discrimination lawsuits in the 1970s to recent fraud cases and the dissolution of his charitable foundation. Accusations of sexual misconduct and a history of falsehoods have marked his personal and political life.
Despite these challenges, Trump portrays himself as a victim of a corrupt system, turning legal battles into rallying cries. This election may bring a reckoning that even he cannot escape.
If he gets in, he’ll have the full force of the DOJ to protect him from going to prison. This is a state crime, I understand that, but it flips an agency with enormous resources into his own personal defense firm.
They’ll file appeals and briefs that claim his position prevents him from being taken into custody and at least delay any imprisonment while he’s president. Courts, like his sentencing court, will not want to be involved in a “political” question and will kick the can on imprisonment. That will also provide a convenient motivation for Trump to not let go of the presidency after four years.