In November of next year, the possibility arises for Donald Trump to be elected president once again, despite his attempts to undermine the very democracy of the nation. Early polling shows Trump’s strong positioning against President Joe Biden, despite facing indictments for state and federal crimes related to a conspiracy to retain power after his loss in the 2020 election.
The Special Counsel, Jack Smith, filed an indictment detailing Trump’s efforts to overturn the legitimate results of the election through false claims of voter fraud. Trump and his advisers not only made baseless allegations, but also devised various plans to unlawfully seize power. To understand Trump’s potential success, one must examine the reactions of his primary rivals and the conservative media.
Prominent figures such as Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Tim Scott expressed concern over the supposed weaponization of the federal government and the Department of Justice against political opponents. Fox News host Jesse Watters referred to the indictment as a “political war crime,” while National Review claimed it was an attempt to criminalize protected political speech. Some argue that these prosecutions actually sustain Trump by provoking a defensive reaction in the conservative base, despite the knowledge that they are politically motivated.
To comprehend how Trump endures as a viable candidate, attention must be paid to the conservative elites in politics and media who, despite their desire to distance themselves from him, refuse to acknowledge his attempts to overthrow the government as illegal. Their defense of Trump following his indictment suggests a demand for the politicization of justice rather than opposition to it.
The indictment by Smith provides detailed evidence of Trump’s comprehensive and failed schemes to stay in power. From coercing state legislators to overturn election results to concocting plans involving fraudulent electors, Trump left no stone unturned in his pursuit of an illegitimate victory. He even tried to pressure the Department of Justice and Vice President Mike Pence to support his false claims. Trump’s invitation to a crowd in Washington, D.C., under the false premise of a stolen election, further exacerbated the chaos he incited on January 6.
Labeling Trump’s actions as mere political speech is absurd. While unfounded claims alone may be protected as free speech, actively attempting to seize power illegally is an entirely different matter. It is comparable to demanding money at gunpoint, which is a crime. Laws against armed robbery do not infringe on free speech rights simply because the perpetrator utters certain words. Trump’s actions went far beyond mere rhetoric.
The indictment also highlights the resistance from Republicans with authority who rejected Trump’s attempts to overturn the election. Most of his attorneys and advisers recognized the election was over, the Justice Department leadership threatened mass resignations, state legislators declined his demands, and the Supreme Court dismissed his legal claims. Even Pence, who had been a loyal ally, refused to assert nonexistent power. If any evidence of weaponization of the Justice Department exists, it is in Trump’s attempts to manipulate its authority for his conspiracy.
Trump’s opponents, both within and outside the administration, defeated him at the ballot box and impeached him. The independent counsel’s detailed record of his crimes provides clear evidence of his intent and actions. However, the core authoritarian right that has emerged in Trump’s shadow, which seeks noncompetitive elections and repressive state control, continues to support him due to its disdain for democracy. This faction remains small in number but wields influence, especially within mainstream Republican circles.
The majority of conservative elites still claim to adhere to the principles of democracy and self-governance. However, they have repeatedly failed in their duty to defend the right of the public to choose its leaders. Right-wing media perpetuated the baseless claims of election theft to retain their audience, while Republican lawmakers validated Trump’s victim narrative to avoid electoral consequences. These groups, immobilized by their own cowardice, continue to enable Trump’s influence.
The moral authority to challenge Trump’s devoted following lies with conservative elites, as they have the power to erode his support. Others outside their coalition lack the persuasiveness required due to the right’s success in demonizing non-conservatives. Unfortunately, these elites lack the courage and will to oppose Trump, thereby allowing him to remain a formidable force in American politics. Everyone else in the American system has fulfilled their responsibilities, leaving the responsibility for Trump’s ongoing relevance solely with the right-wing elites who sacrifice their dignity to his ambition.
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