The Presidents who were ALMOST indicted
And what happened today with the president who WAS indicted
Photo Credit: New York Times
Issue #293 American History April 4, 2023
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, former president Donald J. Trump became the first president in U.S. history to be indicted by a grand jury for one or more criminal offenses.
Despite the racial and anti-semitic attacks from Trump and his supporters against Southern District of New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg (including the false claim that Bragg's work is being directed by Jewish philanthropist George Soros), it was a majority of the 23 members of the Grand Jury who voted to indict.
On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Donald John Trump appeared in the same courtroom and before the same judge who sat on the bench when a jury found the Trump Organization guilty on multiple charges of criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records in December 2022.
Donald Trump was formally arrested, arraigned, and fingerprinted at about 1:45 pm ET on April 4, 2023.
He silently walked into the courtroom at about 2:30 pm ET, a mini “perp walk.”
The indictment No. 71543-23, was unsealed and while still seated, Donald Trump forcefully pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts: falsifying business records AND conspiracy for two women.
The judge, State Supreme Court Justice Juan M. Merchan, said that he was taking Trump’s social media posts and rhetoric very seriously.
Donald J. Trump left the courtroom at 3:25 pm ET.
Trump’s lawyers are saying that this shouldn’t happen to a former president. Why not?
The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, said: “Manhattan is home to the country’s most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct.”
It will take a while to process the entire indictment.
What we have to watch is how different people react. Trump and his allies will, of course, say this is unfair and a witch hunt, etc. Trump is a private citizen, no more and no less.
This democracy at work. Anyone else who was accused of the same charges would be indicted, arrested, and arraigned.
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The History of Almost Indictments of Former Presidents
Throughout history, numerous U.S. presidents have been accused of offenses that could potentially lead to an indictment for high crimes and misdemeanors. While some Presidents were exonerated by Congress or a court of law, several came close to being formally indicted. Here are some of the most notable instances involving U.S. presidents who almost faced an official indictment:
Andrew Johnson - In 1868, President Andrew Johnson escaped conviction by the Senate in his impeachment trial by a single vote. The House had voted to impeach him on February 24th of that year on charges of violating the Tenure of Office Act after he removed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from office. Historians have noted that if Johnson had been convicted by the Senate, he could have gone forward with an indictment in court for his actions as president.
Ulysses S. Grant - During Grant's presidency between 1869 and 1877, members of Congress accused him and other officials of corruption related to the handling of public funds during Indian negotiation efforts in Montana Territory and Dakota Territory. While Grant was formally exonerated by Congress in 1876, some members of the House Judiciary Committee declared that he should be impeached and indicted.
Richard Nixon - In 1974, President Richard Nixon was near certain to be impeached following the Watergate scandal, but resigned before he could face formal proceedings in the House of Representatives. There had been legal speculation over whether or not a sitting president could be indicted under the U.S. Constitution, but no official action was taken against Nixon before he chose to resign from office on August 8, 1974.
George H. W Bush - In 1992, former President George H.W. Bush faced possible indictment for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal during his tenure as Vice President under Ronald Reagan. The Department of Justice eventually decided against pressing charges due to a lack of evidence linking Bush directly to illegal activity.
Bill Clinton - During his last year in office, President Bill Clinton faced impeachment from the House over allegations that he lied under oath about having a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. After months of hearings and legal proceedings, the Senate acquitted Clinton on all charges and he was not indicted by a court of law.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It):
William H. West, retired D.C. police officer
Trump is not the 1st president to be arrested.
President Ulysses S. Grant was arrested by a D.C. police officer because he was speeding in his carriage down M Street.
The police officer, William H. West, was a formerly enslaved Black man. The officer let the president go the first time he stopped him for speeding, but Grant did it again the very next day, so the officer arrested him. Grant did not show up for his trial but paid the $20 ($480 now) fine.
It is ironic that the 2nd president ever to be arrested, Donald J. Trump, will also stand for multiple charges because of a Black man.
Click the link to read the article about this true account.
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