Analysis: Trump’s indictment is a stress test of Biden’s focus on safeguarding democracy

Analysis: The indictment of Donald Trump poses a significant challenge to President Joe Biden’s commitment to safeguarding democracy in the United States. With two previous indictments against Trump already having taken place, the novelty of prosecuting a former president may have diminished. However, the latest criminal charges against Trump, which accuse him of conspiracy and obstruction for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, create an unprecedented stress test for the American political system.

At the same time that Trump faces these legal challenges, he is actively seeking voters’ support to return to the White House. This overlapping of legal and political dramas presents a stark challenge for President Biden as he is running for re-election in 2024. While Biden has made protecting democracy a core element of his agenda and campaign, he has also pledged to respect the independence of the judicial process.

As a result, Biden is likely to feel compelled to remain silent about the court case, even though the charges revolve around behavior he considers an existential threat to democracy. This silence is crucial to avoiding any perception of political interference in the proceedings.

Biden has previously maintained a similar silence after Trump’s two earlier indictments in New York and federal courts. Despite facing these charges, Trump is currently leading the crowded field for the GOP nomination and continues to spread baseless claims about voter fraud, which fueled the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Trump’s ongoing refusal to accept his election defeat intensifies the stakes in both the current indictment and the 2024 election. A courtroom acquittal would reinforce Trump’s image of evading consequences, while electoral victories could bolster his brand of election denial.

Polling data shows that a significant number of Republicans do not believe Trump acted illegally in connection with the January 6 events, and many still question the legitimacy of Biden’s election. The prevalence of these ingrained lies is described as “uncharted territory” for democracy by experts.

Biden has repeatedly emphasized the importance of defending and restoring democracy, but challenges persist in his efforts to protect voting rights and promote democracy abroad.

In the upcoming election, Biden’s allies expect democracy to remain a focal point of his campaign, even though he might not address Trump’s indictment directly. Despite Trump’s devoted supporters, the mounting criminal cases could ultimately have a negative impact on the Republican Party as a whole.

As Trump faces the latest indictment, it adds further complexity to Biden’s bid for re-election and underscores the critical importance of safeguarding democracy in the face of unprecedented challenges.

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• “Trump indicted for efforts to overturn 2020 election and block transfer of power” (CNN)
• “How the Trump fake electors scheme became a ‘corrupt plan,’ according to the indictment” (The Washington Post)
• “The judge assigned to Trump’s Jan. 6 case is a tough punisher of Capitol rioters” (Politico)
• “Biden’s inauguration speech” (The White House)
• “Biden’s statement on defending democracy” (NBC News)
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