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For many Americans, still reeling from the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and the lies uttered by Donald Trump on this presidential election of 2020 which would have been stolen from him, the indictment presented yesterday by the special prosecutor was a real deliverance. Like the editorialist of USA Today who is writing : ” Like many who still believe that the laws exist and that the American justice system is not a criminal operation controlled by Joe Biden, I will never forget where I was when I read these words from the prosecutor: “the statements of the accused were false, and the accused knew they were false”. I know I will still tell my grandchildren about it.”.
For much of the progressive press, this third indictment is by far the most important.
Nothing less than the future of American democracy will depend on it.exclaims the New York Times. ” At the heart of the case between the United States and Donald Trump is this question: can a sitting president spread lies about an election and attempt to use the authority of the government to subvert the will of voters and cling to power ? “Precisely, for” ensure the survival of democracy, those who attempt to subvert it must be held accountable”adds the Chicago Sun Times : “ Our institutions must demonstrate once and for all that no one is above the law. »
For the Miami Heraldthis indictment not only puts the ex-president face to face with his responsibilities, but the entire American nation: “ Looking the other way, as the Senate did in refusing to vote on impeachment of Donald Trump after the Capitol attack, has only deepened the wound inflicted on our nation and emboldened those who seek to undermine principles Founders of the United States »believes the editorialist.
Read alsoUnited States: even if convicted, Donald Trump could become president again
For conservative newspapers, the charges against the ex-president constitute, on the contrary, a dangerous precedent
THE wall street journal emphasizes that the indictment ultimately does not include the notion of ” sedition » nor that of “ insurrection ». Proof, according to the conservative daily, that the special prosecutor has ” no evidence linking Mr. Trump to Oath Keepers or to Proud Boys, the far-right groups who had planned to enter the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and who had carried out their plan. It was the worst attack on democracy.”recognizes the wall street journal ” and more than 1,000 people have been prosecuted”. But Donald Trump is charged with something else, the newspaper insists: “ not for lying about a stolen presidential election, but for acting on those lies.”. Something to worry the editorialist: “ Going forward, it could criminalize many kinds of actions and statements by a president that a prosecutor will deem to be false. You don’t have to be a Donald Trump advocate to worry about the outcome of this case.”.
What consequences for the 2024 election campaign?
THE wall street journal is also concerned about the consequences of this indictment on the 2024 presidential campaign: ” The Democrats want Donald Trump to be the Republican candidate, and prosecutor Jack Smith (whether he likes it or not) makes this outcome more than likely,” says the daily, which continues: “The election campaign will alternate between courts and rallies. A carnival that will prevent other Republican candidates from being heard. And a possible televised debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump will focus on the age of one and the other’s attempt to avoid prison..
” Prosecuting Trump could indeed improve his chances of being elected, especially if he were acquitted”also explains the Los Angeles Times. Except that ” Special Prosecutor Jack Smith’s duty is to follow the law, not some political strategy “, concludes for his part the Boston Globe.
► To listen also: Indictment of Trump: ‘It seems unlikely that the trial will take place before the election’