On Tuesday, April 5, former President Donald Trump was charged with 34 felony counts connected to falsifying business records. It is the first time any president has received criminal charges. As the 2024 presidential race is approaching with Trump as a Republican candidate, Seawolves discuss how these charges could affect his campaign. 

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has been conducting this investigation for nearly five years. Carlos Calito, a third year communication major, explains, “I’m assuming there’s a lot of evidence and detail that came from this investigation. With 34 charges, I assume that the grand jury was justified in charging him.” Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Alvin Bragg, the District Attorney, has centered the investigation around the alleged payment to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, for her silence about their encounters. $130,000 was paid to Daniels just before the 2016 election by Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, and was reimbursed by Trump.

Shannon Magee, a first year political science major, says, “I definitely think the charges are justified. Money was used incorrectly. The story hits close to home because SSU’s former president, Judy Sakaki, allegedly paid people for their silence on sexual claims as well.” 

As a candidate in the 2024 presidential race, many are questioning whether or not this will hurt Trump’s campaign. Trump claims that the indictment is, “Political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history.” There is discussion on many platforms on whether this indictment will backfire and bring Trump back to the presidency, but Calito says, “This indictment will hurt him massively in a public relations sense. It will leave a negative impact on him and will divert either party from wanting him as their candidate.” 

While Calito believes these charges will divert any support, Erika Pablo, a second year psychology major, believes that his supporters will back him no matter what, explaining, “The people that follow him seem to stick by him no matter what he does. He will always have his audience. This is just a continuation of his bad record.”

Trump has vowed to stay in the presidential race despite pending charges. His defense team has until Aug. 8 to file all of their motions in court, allowing the prosecution until Sept. 19 to respond. On Dec. 4, Justice Juan Merchan will oversee the next hearing where he will rule on the motions. Prosecution is aiming for the trial to start in early January 2024, so the evidence won’t be presented to the public until the trial begins. Magee says, “My dad and I talk politics a lot. I remember talks of investigation during the presidency. I’m sure I’ll pay attention to the trial with him and I’m excited to review the evidence.” Calito is excited to see the evidence presented as well, explaining, “Once it’s public I’m there. I think every American is somewhat curious.”

Although some Seawolves are invested, others have a different perspective. Pable explains, “Honestly I’m not invested because of his behavior and hatred toward immigrants. He’s been so exposed in the media and I’m just tired of seeing him.” An environmental studies major that would like to remain anonymous agrees, “I don’t care about the trial. I just want him to be gone. We should be discussing more important topics. It’s tiring.”

This case is unknown territory for our judicial system. Tom Devine, legal director at the Government Accountability Project- says, “This is the most current test of a first principle for a free society, whether any person is above the law, and that includes presidents.”