Early in his 2016 campaign for the US presidency, Donald Trump told an audience at an Iowa caucus meeting: “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK? It’s, like, incredible.”
Incredible it undoubtedly has been, and he must be hoping that this strange quality of immunity will serve him once again after his indictment on serious federal charges of attempting to defraud the US, tampering with a witness and conspiracy against the rights of citizens. And these are just the latest instalment of alleged offences that will keep Mr Trump, his foolhardy lawyers and the courts busy for months if not years to come.
Unfortunately, for the American people – though not Mr Trump himself – he has been more right than wrong in his observation about getting away with things in recent years. With a total of 71 criminal indictments to his name (so far), he’s never been more popular in Republican circles. Mr Trump’s many enemies might think twice about bumping into him on Fifth Avenue anytime soon.
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