Numerous legal experts have suggested that President Donald Trump may have committed multiple crimes while in office. Now, with President-elect Joe Biden speaking of unifying all Americans, many Democrats who want to see Trump face justice are wondering how the president-elect will handle this difficult situation.
Biden has said in the past that prosecuting Trump would be a “very unusual thing and probably not very good for democracy.” In August, he told NPR that he would go along with whatever the Department of Justice felt was best, saying he wouldn’t “interfere…[if] they think they should pursue the prosecution of anyone that they think has violated the law.”
Biden’s nominee for attorney general is likely to face a thorough confirmation hearing, as the Senate is expected to end up controlled by the Republicans. Questioning will most likely focus on the nominee’s opinions of Trump, and if that person will pursue prosecution.
After leaving office, Trump will lose his presidential immunity from federal criminal indictment. Once he is out of office, it is entirely possible the DOJ will launch an investigation against him. However, Republican Senate committees may respond by launching investigations against Biden and his family members.
While some Democrats have sided with Biden, saying that unifying the country is more important to democracy than prosecuting a former president, others disagree.
“Either we are a nation of laws or we are not,” Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Virginia) said. “No one – either a president or ex-president – is above the law.”
Trump could be facing multiple federal charges for profiting from the presidency, obstruction of justice and abuse of power, to name a few. He also has an ongoing lawsuit against him for rape.
