Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, was arrested and arraigned this week.
That is a historical moment in our lifetime.
Never in this country’s brief democratic history has a sitting or former president faced criminal charges.
There have been three who were impeached while in office: Andrew Johnson in 1868 then Bill Clinton in 1998. And Trump. In 2019 and 2021.
The 45th President of the United States is now the first president to ever be indicted for criminal behavior.
The former president, who previously stated he is again running for president in 2024, has almost as many supporters as he does detractors.
In the 2020 presidential election Trump won just under half of the popular vote, losing by less than 5%. In Chula Vista and National City there are pockets of Trump supporters who will carry the man’s banner until the day they die.
Undoubtedly their feelings about this week’s events are strong. Perhaps they are even apoplectic.
Trump has characterized his impeachments, investigations and, now, prosecution, as witch hunts. It’s a characterization parroted by his followers.
The charges brought against him by the Manhattan District Attorney are based on insignificant legal standards. Mickey mouse campaign violations, they cry,
In that sense they share some of the same sentiments expressed by their political opposites expressed years ago.
When former San Diego Councilman and South Bay product Ralph Inzunza was charged with federal campaign violations, his supporters were told to trust in the process. The same was told to those who stood behind former Chula Vista Councilman Steve Castaneda. And members of the Sweetwater Union High District School Board, and former Congressman Bob Filner—all of whom found themselves in a courtroom and in front of a judge, their political careers in tatters.
No one is above the law. Trust in the judicial system. The truth will come out and justice will prevail, they and their supporters were told.
It’s advice Trump supporters should heed. If it was good enough then, it’s good enough now: trust in the system.
