Trump's Presidential Ambitions and the Criminal Cases Against Him: What Would Have Happened if He Never Ran for Office?

Is it possible that if Donald Trump had never announced his candidacy for re-election, much of the criminal activity he is currently facing could have been avoided? To answer this question, we should look at the various criminal cases against him and consider how they might have unfolded in the absence of his presidential ambitions.

The New York Hush Money Case

The New York hush money case centers on alleged criminal activity.
As it stands, the case accuses Trump of falsifying business records 34 different times, an act that he used to manage a scheme with Michael Cohen to keep porn star Stormy Daniels silent until after the 2016 election.

If Trump had never run for office, it is highly likely that this scheme would never have come to light. Without the political pressures and the need to preempt any potential scrutiny, the conditions that led to this act would not have been conducive to the crime.

Jack Smith's Election Interference Case

The Jack Smith election interference case focuses on Trump's alleged conspiracy to obstruct Congress and overturn the 2020 election results. This is a serious criminal matter that extends beyond mere business conduct and into the realm of political influence and interference.

If Trump had not pursued his candidacy, he likely would not have attempted to influence the results of the election. The political environment required for this interference would not have existed, and therefore, the case against him for this crime might never have been brought.

The Classified Documents Case

This case alleges that Trump stole and hoarded classified government documents after leaving office. The act of keeping these documents, without a legitimate reason for having access to them, points to serious criminal behavior.

If Trump had not run for office, it is likely that he would not have had the sensitive clearance or access required to obtain these documents. This case also wouldn't have emerged in the public eye if his presidential aspirations had not driven his actions.

The Georgia RICO Case

The Georgia RICO case is one of the most extensive and complex cases brought against Trump and his allies. This case accuses Trump and his codefendants under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act of orchestrating efforts to influence the 2020 election results in Georgia.

Without the ideological driving force of running for re-election, the likelihood of orchestrating such a scheme diminishes significantly. The actions would need to be driven by pure political motives, which would not have been present in a scenario where he had no interest in the presidency.

Conclusion

While it is certain that Trump's criminal activities would not have been catalyzed by his presidential ambitions, the cases against him would have taken a different form. Most of the criminal charges currently facing him stem from his actions in a political climate he helped to create. However, without his political ambitions, the magnitude and complexity of the cases against him would have been much less.

Ultimately, the fact is that Trump’s belief in his own immunity and the lawlessness he has displayed in various aspects of his career would still have put him in a position to face significant legal challenges. His actions have been so egregious that they likely would have been scrutinized and prosecuted regardless of his political ambitions.