Can Trump still win after three indictments?

+ DOJ launches civil rights investigation of the Memphis PD US Edition - Today's top story: Could Trump turn his politics of grievance into a get-out-of-jail card? Neither prosecution nor even jail time has prevented former leaders in Israel, Brazil and Kenya from mounting comebacks [View in browser]( US Edition | 3 August 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( We’re getting a lot of practice on the politics desk covering the indictments of Donald Trump. As you likely know, a federal indictment was issued late in the day on Tuesday charging Trump with crimes related to his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election. It was Trump’s third indictment over the past five months. And to many, it was the most serious, because it concerned attempts to interfere with a fundamental function of our democracy: electing a leader. Scholars James D. Long and Victor Menaldo, political scientists at the University of Washington, take a broad view of how Trump may fare at the ballot box, given how his campaign has become almost exclusively focused on grievance over his prosecutions, and perceived persecution. “Is a campaign based on grievance and retribution [likely to sway voters](?” ask the two scholars who study politics across the globe. “Examples from other countries show that prosecution or even jail time does not prevent former leaders from mounting comebacks,” they conclude. P.S.: We want to hear from you. As we move into a campaign year, what stories would you like us to cover that aren’t Trump-related? Please reply to this newsletter with your ideas. Naomi Schalit Democracy Editor Donald Trump enters a political rally while campaigning for the GOP 2024 nomination on July 29, 2023, in Erie, Pa. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images [Could Trump turn his politics of grievance into a get-out-of-jail card? Neither prosecution nor even jail time has prevented former leaders in Israel, Brazil and Kenya from mounting comebacks]( James D. Long, University of Washington; Victor Menaldo, University of Washington Donald Trump has made personal grievances and payback the centerpiece of his presidential run. Will this strategy work? Two experts who study democracy look at others who have used these tactics. Special Counsel Jack Smith announces the second federal indictment of Donald Trump on Aug. 1, 2023. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin [The most serious Trump indictment yet – a criminal law scholar explains the charges of using ‘dishonesty, fraud and deceit’ to cling to power]( Gabriel J. Chin, University of California, Davis A grand jury indicted Donald Trump on conspiracy and obstruction charges related to his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Former U.S. President Donald Trump on June 13, 2023, after being arraigned in Miami. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images [Trump indicted in Jan. 6 case – but his 3 upcoming trials may not keep him off the campaign trail]( Stefanie Lindquist, Arizona State University Donald Trump has been indicted for crimes in connection with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A legal scholar looks at the law to determine whether he can boycott his upcoming trials. [George Washington knew when it was time to go, unlike Trump, because the founders worried about the judgment of history]( Maurizio Valsania, Università di Torino When America was young, its leaders had no trouble retiring from public service and public life. That’s not universally true now. [Trump may try to delay his first federal trial – it’s a common legal strategy to fend off a criminal conviction]( Peter A. Joy, Washington University in St Louis Delaying a trial by filing various requests and questions to the court might mean that witness memories are not as fresh, among other potential benefits for criminal defendants. [Immunity for witnesses is a key tool of prosecutors, whether they’re charging Trump or other alleged criminals – here’s how it works and what the limits are]( William Ortman, Wayne State University Immunity deals may play a key role in the prosecution of former President Donald Trump. [Trump indictment: Here’s how prosecutors will try to prove he knowingly lied and intended to break the law]( Ronald S. Sullivan Jr., Harvard University A key element in proving Trump’s guilt or innocence is determining the former president’s state of mind and whether he has shown a consciousness of guilt before and after the alleged crimes. - [Ending affirmative action does nothing to end discrimination against Asian Americans]( Jerry Kang, University of California, Los Angeles In their lawsuits against affirmative action, Students For Fair Admission claimed to want to protect Asian Americans. A law professor explains why the Supreme Court ruling doesn’t achieve that goal. - [Hiroshima attack marks its 78th anniversary – its lessons of unnecessary mass destruction could help guide future nuclear arms talks]( Tara Sonenshine, Tufts University The United States and Russia, the two biggest nuclear powers, have no imminent plans for talks on a nuclear deal. That should change, writes a former US diplomat. - [Justice Department launches civil rights investigation of Memphis police – 4 essential reads about holding police accountable]( Lorna Grisby, The Conversation The Justice Department has launched a civil rights probe of the Memphis Police Department to examine allegations of excessive force, improper stops and searches and racial disparities. - [Is Congress on a witch hunt? 5 ways to judge whether oversight hearings are legitimate or politicized]( Claire Leavitt, Smith College The GOP in the House and Senate is doing lots of investigations; Democrats did the same in the past. A scholar of congressional oversight asks: When are investigations justified? Like this newsletter? 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