Trump faces federal criminal charges for "secret gate" case, becoming the first former president in US history to be treated this way

After leaving the White House, former US President Donald Trump was accused of illegally keeping thousands of classified documents and trying to prevent the government from getting them back. It is the second time in three months that he has faced criminal charges, and the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been indicted on federal criminal charges. This incident triggered widespread concern and controversy in the US society, and also made Trump's political future once again in trouble.

How did Trump Illegally Keep Classified Documents?

Under the PresidentialRecordsAct, a former president is supposed to surrender all presidential documents to the National Archives after leaving office, and those records are considered federal property. It is illegal to take or keep confidential documents in an unauthorized location. Trump, on the other hand, violated this legal requirement by taking away a large number of classified documents involving national security and diplomatic interests and hiding them in his private residence.

According to the indictment, when Trump left office in January 2021, he shipped about 300 classified documents to his private Florida retreat, Mar-a-Lago, which is also a large private members' club. The documents cover sensitive matters such as the US nuclear programme, military capabilities and foreign policy, and some may even cause "particularly serious" damage to US national security. Some of the documents are memos or transcripts of calls or meetings Mr. Trump has had with foreign leaders while in office, reports or briefings he has consulted with top American intelligence agencies or the military to discuss major decisions, and drafts or originals of bills or orders he has signed or vetoed.

In August 2022, the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago and found boxes of documents in the ballroom, bathrooms and even the shower. Prosecutors said Mr. Trump knew of the existence of the documents and worked to impede the investigation and prevent their retrieval. He had advised lawyers to "hide or destroy" the documents, or told investigators he did not have them. He also threatened that if the government wanted the documents back, it would have to pay him millions of dollars in "storage fees."

How does Trump respond to allegations?

Trump appeared in court for an arraignment on Tuesday, June 13, and was fingerprinted. His lawyers claimed that Trump had the right to take personal documents from the White House and had declassified them before leaving office. But prosecutors say there is no evidence that Trump followed any declassification procedures or notified the National Archives. They also point out that Mr. Trump has a habit of handling classified documents freely while in office, once shredding a classified document about Iran's nuclear program and leaving White House staff struggling to put it together.

After the court appearance, Trump went to a golf club in New Jersey to speak to his supporters. He has repeatedly said he is innocent and said the indictment is a "political war" against him ahead of the 2024 election. He also blamed President Joe Biden and his onetime political rival Hillary Clinton, among others. He said they were "corrupt politicians" who "want to destroy America" and "want to shut me up." He also said that he was "the greatest president," that "no one can do a better job than me," and that "I'll be back."

Will Trump's criminal charges affect his political future?

Legal experts say the charges against Trump are extremely serious and the evidence is strong. They expect Mr. Trump and his lawyers to drag out the trial as long as possible to avoid disrupting his plans to run for president again in 2024. But they also said that even if Trump were convicted and jailed, it would not prevent him from running for office.

Under U.S. law, you can run for office even if you are criminally charged. At least two in the past have had criminal records while running for president. In 1920, left-wing candidate EugeneDebs was convicted of violating the Espionage Act for his 1918 anti-war speech, but he still ran for president. In 1972, Democratic candidate GeorgeMcGovern's deputy, ThomasEagleton, was forced to drop out of the race after it was revealed during the campaign that he had received electric shock therapy for depression.

Trump has already been criminally indicted in New York state for paying hush money to porn actress StormyDaniels. He is also facing multiple civil lawsuits and criminal investigations over the January 6, 2021 parliamentary riot. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has accused political opponents and the media of a smear campaign and witch hunt against him.

How does public opinion view this incident?

This incident has triggered different reactions and evaluations in the American society. Some people who support Trump believe that this is a witch hunt, a retaliation and suppression of Trump by the Democratic Party and the judicial department, and a trampling and destruction of the American democratic system. They said Trump is a patriot, a great leader and a president who works for the good of the American people, and he does not deserve such treatment and humiliation.

Some people who oppose Trump see this as a justice trial, punishment and sanctions for Trump's crimes and abuses of power, and maintenance and restoration of the rule of law and security in the United States. They say Trump is a liar, a dictator, a president who has endangered the interests and reputation of the United States, and he should face responsibility and consequences for his actions.

Some neutral or apolitical people think it is a farce, a mockery and satire of American society, and a shame and stain on American history. They say Trump and his political opponents are attacking and denigrating each other for their own gain and power, with no regard for the well-being and needs of the American people.

How does the incident affect the political situation in the United States?

The incident had a profound impact on the political situation in the United States. On the one hand, it exacerbates the division and antagonism in American society, making cooperation and communication between the two parties more difficult, and making trust and understanding between the American people even more lacking. On the other hand, it also affects the political prospects of Trump himself and within the Republican Party, making them more challenging and obstructed in the 2024 election.

For Trump, the criminal charges are a blow to his dream of returning to the White House. Although he still has a strong personal charm and a loyal base of supporters, he also faces multiple difficulties such as legal risks, public pressure and financial difficulties. If he is convicted and jailed, he will be ineligible to run and could lose many Republicans who supported him. Even if he is acquitted or granted probation, he will spend a lot of time, energy, and money fighting legal proceedings, and may be questioned, attacked, ridiculed, and so on by Democrats, the media, the public, and so on.

For Republicans, the criminal charges are also a severe test of their chances of victory in the 2024 election. While Trump remains the most influential and popular figure in the Republican Party, he is also the party's most controversial and opposed figure. If he decides to run, he will face stiff resistance from Democrats, as well as divisions and conflict within the Republican Party. If he decides not to run, he risks losing supporters and leaving a hole in the Republican Party that will be difficult to fill. In any case, the Republican Party will need to find a balance between maintaining Trump's support and expanding its base, which will not be easy.

How does the incident affect the international image of the United States?

The incident also had a negative impact on the international image of the United States. On the one hand, it exposes the flaws and drawbacks of the US political system, making the US lose its moral authority and persuasive power in promoting and safeguarding democratic values. On the other hand, it also shows the negligence and mistakes of the US government in handling classified documents, which makes the US lose trust and credibility in protecting and maintaining national security.

For America's Allies, the incident is likely to stoke resentment and distrust of the US government, especially over classified documents that touch on their interests or sensitive issues. They may worry about whether the U.S. government can protect the documents, whether they will be leaked to third parties or hostile powers, and whether they will use the documents to pressure or blackmail them. They may demand that the U.S. government explain or apologize to them and take steps to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

For competitors or enemies of the United States, the incident could provide an opportunity to attack or exploit, especially countries or organizations that are in conflict or at odds with the United States. They may use it to criticize or ridicule the incompetence or corruption of the U.S. government, and to try to sow discord or undermine relations between the United States and its Allies. They may seek out or use the information in these classified documents to develop or adjust their own strategy or tactics and to cause greater damage or threat to the United States.

In short, this incident is an unprecedented, shocking, regrettable, and alarming event in American history. It not only has a significant impact on Trump personally, the Republican Party, and the U.S. political situation, but also has a serious impact on the rule of law, security, and image of the United States. It shows us how a once great and powerful country can fall into decline and chaos amid internal and external troubles.