History was made on May 30 when former President of the United States of America Donald Trump became the first former holder of that office to be convicted of criminal offences.
Trump faced 34 counts of falsification of business records in the first degree. The matter originated from the payments of US$130 000 made to his former attorney to pay off a porn star with whom Trump had a sexual encounter, to keep quiet about it so that voters would not learn about the scandal. He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned last year.
For the many fervent followers and supporters of the New York businessman and former television reality star, it is another “attack” on Trump to prevent the Republican presidential candidate from being re-elected to the White House.
Given Trump’s immediate and predictable response following the unanimous verdict on all counts – not accepting responsibility for his actions and blaming his political opponents – one can expect he will continue to whip up his supporters into a frenzy.
Ironically, President Joe Biden, who is expected to be Trump’s rival in November when the presidential election is held, will see his son Hunter Biden also face trial shortly on illegal gun charges.
All this points to the matter of accountability. The US, despite its many faults and flawed legal system, has shown that no one is above the law.
The conviction of Trump, who may still remain the Republican presidential candidate in a few months, has demonstrated that the world’s “greatest democracy” has the capacity to police itself, as it seeks to patrol the rest of the world.
We in Barbados have not had the unfortunate distinction of convicting a major political figure. On the other hand, it was the American authorities that reached into the Barbadian political scene when they charged former minister and St James South Member of Parliament Donville Inniss for money laundering and bribery involving a Barbadian insurance company.
Inniss found himself in deep trouble because of his American migrant status and the fact that he was convicted of using an American entity to move the US$36 536.73 he received from the insurance company.
Despite the conviction, which Inniss is appealing, he maintains the money he got was not a bribe.
The US and Barbados are just two on a long list of countries that have had the embarrassment of convicting people from the highest political class. It has happened in Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Egypt, Croatia, France, Israel, Pakistan, South Africa, Peru, and others.
Trump, who is arguably one of the most divisive political figures in the western world in modern history, has no plans of going away quietly and is prepared to take the Republican party with him.
For those seeking answers about the implications of Trump’s conviction and even his possible re-election in November, one must pay attention to those who are prepared to blindly follow their leader, even when they know he is wrong.
When there are only a few people prepared to speak truth to power and to stand by their conscience rather than material or financial considerations, it is the clearest indication that the society is on a serious slide.
“In one sense, Trump’s conviction on all counts in his first criminal trial affirmed the principle on which the United States is founded — that everyone is equal and that no one, not even a billionaire and former and possibly future president, enjoys impunity.
“But Trump’s authoritarian outburst minutes after the guilty verdict in New York, and a race by top Republicans to join his assault on the justice system underscore how threatened those bedrock values now are,” stated a recent CNN article.
Essentially, there should be no real celebration of the American justice system just yet. Trump, despite his loss in the criminal courts, could still access victory at the polls.
Such a development is sure to create turmoil and mayhem as Trump has promised certain retribution to all his perceived enemies.
