The President
The Trump Adminstration
Accusations and Controversies:
1. Sexual Misconduct Allegations: At least 18 women accused Trump of inappropriate behavior, including sexual harassment and assault. These allegations date back decades, with some women coming forward during his 2016 presidential campaign.
2. Business Practices: Trump faced criticism and legal challenges over his business dealings, including allegations of fraud related to Trump University, which led to a $25 million settlement in 2016.
3. Housing Discrimination: In the 1970s, the Trump Organization was accused of discriminatory practices in renting apartments, allegedly refusing to rent to Black tenants. The case was settled without admission of guilt.
4. Bankruptcies: Trump’s businesses filed for bankruptcy multiple times, raising questions about his financial management and business acumen.
5. Racially Charged Statements: Trump was criticized for his role in the Central Park Five case, where he called for the death penalty for five Black and Latino teenagers who were later exonerated.
Convictions:
Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York. This case revolved around allegations that he disguised reimbursements for a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels as legal expenses. The jury found that Trump authorized these payments and spread them across 12 months, creating false entries in his ledgers. This conviction marked the first time a former U.S. president was found guilty of a crime.
Court Cases:
Several legal cases against Donald Trump were dismissed during his presidency. This was largely due to longstanding Department of Justice policies that prohibit the indictment and prosecution of a sitting president. For example, federal criminal cases involving classified documents and alleged election interference were dismissed "without prejuduce" after Trump was reelected.
Legal cases dismissed during a president's term can be reopened once they leave office. This is because the immunity afforded to a sitting president is temporary and does not extend beyond their time in office. For example, cases dismissed "without prejudice" can be brought back, allowing prosecutors to revisit charges or investigations
On Going Legal Cases Involving Executive Orders:
1. Alien Enemies Act Deportations: Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1787 to deport Venezuelan nationals alleged to have gang affiliations. This has led to legal challenges, with critics arguing that the law is being misapplied and violates due process.
2. Spending Freeze: An executive order freezing federal funding for programs related to gender ideology, climate change, and foreign aid is being contested. Courts have ruled that this oversteps presidential authority and disrupts state operations.
3. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): Actions by this department, including accessing Social Security data and shutting down agencies like USAID, have faced legal pushback for violating privacy laws and constitutional principles.
