Former US President Donald Trump's recent arrest and arraignment in Miami on 37 criminal counts has grabbed headlines, but it fails to address the gravity of his most egregious offenses. While it is true that Trump committed numerous crimes both before and during his time in office, it is disheartening to see him being arraigned solely for allegedly crossing the US national security apparatus.
There is no denying that Trump's actions throughout his presidency were questionable at best. His administration witnessed an unprecedented transfer of wealth from working-class individuals to the ultra-rich through his 2017 tax cuts. This brazen move can be seen as a grand theft of public funds, undermining government social spending that could have positively impacted the lives of the less fortunate.
Moreover, Trump's incitement of the right-wing insurrection on January 6, 2021, was a direct assault on democracy. By falsely claiming that the 2020 election was stolen from him, he rallied his supporters to storm the US Capitol, resulting in numerous crimes and acts of violence. Shockingly, only a handful of legal charges have been brought against the perpetrators, including Trump himself.
Let's not forget the international law violations that mar Trump's record. From the unauthorized assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani to his involvement in the attempted invasion of Venezuela and support for a right-wing coup in Bolivia, Trump's actions demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Additionally, his controversial decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel further strained diplomatic relations and contributed to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Trump's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be ignored either. By downplaying the severity of the virus and undermining his own government's efforts to contain it, he effectively endangered the lives of millions of Americans. The United States, under his leadership, became the global leader in COVID-19 deaths—an alarming title that the nation still holds.
Yet, despite this laundry list of offenses, it is unsettling that the charges against Trump revolve around his mishandling of classified documents. While it is concerning that he concealed and lied about sensitive information, it pales in comparison to the magnitude of his other crimes. The case against him sheds light on the flaws within the US empire, exposing plans for potential attacks on Iran and drawing comparisons to the persecution of journalists like Julian Assange.
Trump's defiant attitude and claims of a "witch hunt" come as no surprise, rallying his supporters and denouncing the trial proceedings. However, it is crucial to recognize that even within the judicial system, Trump receives preferential treatment. The fact that he will face a judge he himself nominated during his tenure raises questions about impartiality. Furthermore, the lenient bail conditions and absence of travel restrictions typically imposed in serious criminal cases speak volumes about the special treatment afforded to the capitalists and fascists.