Donald Trump has been indicted again for alleged participation in attempts to overturn the 2020 US presidential election. In July, the Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution could not proceed due to presidential immunity. However, according to BBC, the special counsel, Jack Smith, has issued a superseding indictment that rewords the charges to omit acts that could be considered under presidential immunity, which means the case may proceed. We’ll discuss below whether that will have any effect on the 2024 election, in which Trump is the Republican candidate.
Will the new indictment affect Trump’s campaign?
On a legal level, the new electoral interference indictment is unlikely to affect Trump’s campaign. The election is only two months away, and there will be plenty of back-and-forth between the prosecution and Trump’s lawyers before anything of significance occurs with the case.
Politically, the indictment once again brings the January 6 incident, and Trump’s role in it, into the news cycle. According to many polls, Trump is sliding downward, and this news certainly isn’t helping things. However, given how long this has been going on, it’d be surprising if it swayed the vote too much.
However, historically, Trump has harnessed legal challenges to rally support, portraying himself as a victim of political persecution. Should this narrative resonate again, it might paradoxically strengthen his standing among loyal followers.
On the other hand, undecided voters or centrists who are weary of Trump’s constant legal drama may decide to vote for Harris or not at all. The indictment’s timing, close to the election, ensures it remains a forefront issue, possibly overshadowing other campaign topics.
So, as the legal proceedings unfold, the continuous media spotlight could either erode Trump’s support further or solidify his base. One thing is for sure: one side will attempt to use it as ammo at some point.
