Donald Trump is getting away with murder again and no one’s doing anything about it

The notion that “crime pays” in America is starkly illustrated by the life of Donald Trump, whose repeated legal entanglements have raised serious questions about the integrity of the American political and legal systems. Despite being a convicted felon and paying millions to settle claims of sexual assault from E. Jean Carroll, Trump has managed to not only avoid serious consequences but is also poised for a potential return to the highest office in the country.

The troubling reality is that Trump may escape criminal accountability for two serious cases: one involving the retention of classified documents and the other concerning his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Both cases involve actions that, under normal circumstances, would lead to significant legal consequences. However, thanks to presidential immunity—a policy that shields sitting presidents from prosecution—Trump is positioned to avoid prosecution if he secures a second term.

Special counsel Jack Smith is expected to drop these two high-profile cases, not because the crimes lack merit, but because the longstanding Justice Department policy prohibits prosecuting a sitting president. This policy stands regardless of the gravity of the offenses. In the case of the classified documents, there is undeniable evidence of wrongdoing, with federal agents discovering boxes of classified records at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, despite his attempts to obstruct the investigation. Even more concerning, there are allegations that Trump may have shared classified information with adversarial foreign powers, including Russia.

The insurrection case, which centers on Trump’s efforts to incite a violent attempt to overturn the 2020 election, has also faced legal hurdles. Though Trump was indicted in 2021, the conservative-majority Supreme Court ruled that former presidents retain broad immunity from prosecution. As a result, this case has also been stymied, with a district judge now tasked with determining which elements of the case can still proceed to trial.

What this situation reveals is a disturbing double standard: winning an election seems to grant a level of legal immunity that allows individuals, particularly those with significant political power, to avoid accountability for potentially treasonous acts. The idea that Trump could avoid prosecution for these serious crimes underscores a grim reality for many who believe in fairness and justice within the American legal system.

Ultimately, Trump’s situation aligns with his famous claim that he could “shoot someone on Fifth Avenue” and still remain untouchable, a statement that now seems less like a boast and more like a chilling prophecy. The consequences of his actions—and the legal system’s failure to hold him accountable—raise important questions about the state of American democracy and the rule of law.