Former US President Donald Trump is preparing a strategy to both evade jail time and fuel his potential presidential bid, as he awaits criminal charges.
Though Mr Trump’s prediction of an arrest has yet to materialize, it is clear that he will not go quietly, as evidenced by his past behavior during political crises.
When faced with political adversaries, Mr Trump tends to punch back. Throughout his 2016 campaign and presidency, he leaned into conflict and attacked his critics. If he is indicted, according to Republican strategist and Trump adviser Bryan Lanza, “the playbook remains exactly the same – attack the legal as political.”
Mr Trump is already targeting Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, framing him as a “rogue prosecutor” and a “woke tyrant” pursuing political retribution against the former president.
Should an indictment be announced, Mr Trump is expected to continue portraying himself as a victim of a leftist plot, a theme he has relied on throughout his political career.
According to the New York Times, Mr Trump is both “invigorated and angered” by the possibility of arrest. He plans to appear defiant in any public appearances and to portray the criminal case as an attack on his supporters.
Mr Trump will have two opportunities to mount his counterattack in the coming days, with a planned rally in Waco, Texas, and a potential trip to New York City for police booking and arraignment.
The former president is fixated on the “perp walk,” a New York tradition where the accused is paraded through a throng of reporters on the way into the courthouse. If this is not feasible due to security concerns, a press conference on the courthouse steps is seen as a more probable option. This would give Mr Trump the chance to lash out at his accusers, portray himself as a victim of the liberal elite, and dominate headlines across the US.
Mr Trump’s campaign fundraising appeals are already playing to these themes, and his rhetoric has been echoed by prominent Republicans, including Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
However, some of Mr Trump’s political rivals may have to step up their efforts to wrest the spotlight from the former president, particularly as he potentially eyes a presidential bid.