US President-Elect Donald Trump has been convicted of hush money charges and survived two attempts on his life.
Our US correspondent Ezra Platt writes on what his election means for America and the world.

The world’s attention will be set on America in the months ahead, after Trump won the Presidential race in the early hours of November 6. He’s claimed the national popular vote for the first time, with 50.2 per cent over Kamala Harris, who claimed 48.2 per cent.

With Republican control in the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Democrats are losing hope for steering public policy.

A crazy election campaign

In September, news broke of a second attempt on Trump’s life while he was golfing in West Palm Beach, just two months after the first attempt.

According to media reports a Secret Service agent travelling in front of Trump spotted a barrel sticking out from the golf course fence and fired a shot at the gunman, who fled the scene. He was later identified as Ryan Routh, 58. Evidence left behind included a rifle with a scope, two backpacks filled with tiles, possibly used for disguise, and a video camera.

Trump addressed his supporters on social media moments afterwards to let everyone know he was “safe and well.” According to people close to him, he remained upbeat, joking that he didn’t get to finish a good round of golf.

Both President Biden and Vice President Harris denounced the political violence, emphasizing that there is no place for such actions in America.

Security breakdown at Pennsylvania rally?

In July, an attempt on Trump’s life took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the incident, Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt as he was pulled away by security after a bullet wounded his ear.

The BBC reported on the incident involving a 20-year-old male identified as Thomas Crooks. It was alleged he used a rifle purchased by his father, with intent to cause harm. Updates on the attack revealed that a cell phone and detonator were found amongst the shooter’s possessions, directing officials to believe there was intention to cause a distraction at the time of the shooting.

Shockingly, amid several red flags leading up to the incident, one witness told a BBC reporter that he saw a male “bear crawling” on the roof five minutes before Trump took the stage.

“I was pointing him out. Saying he has a rifle. There’s a man up there with a rifle. And the police had no idea what was going on.” 

– Greg. Interviewed by BBC at the rally. 

Even though investigations are ongoing, the acting Secret Service director addressed the media chaos surrounding the incident and admitted fault in their practices when questioned about the event’s planning. In a recent update, he shared the current findings and the solution to the communication breakdown in Pennsylvania, clearly stating that the Secret Service has been providing the highest level of protection for both Trump and Harris since July 13th.

A crackdown on violence, comparisons to the Purge and 1930’s Germany

Speaking at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania in September, Trump declared that he believed “one rough day” would end criminal activity in America. He suggested that on this day, the police would be allowed to do their jobs, no matter how rough it became. It sounds like something right out of a horror film.

The Purge is a 2013 horror movie set in 2016, in a “reborn” America.

Crime and unemployment rates supposedly reach an all-time low due to the government instituting an annual 12-hour period, during which all criminal activity becomes legal.

During the Purge, government officials must remain unharmed, using weaponry above “Class 4” is forbidden, and police and emergency services are suspended. Failure to comply results in execution.

The Purge provides a catharsis for the American people, allowing them to vent negative emotions and repressed urges without consequences.

We haven’t seen any Trump policy documents that would come anywhere near that, but 12 hours of unbridled crime would be an interesting experiment.

Tied up in the courts

After being found guilty of 34 charges of hush money to a porn actor identified as Stormy Daniels, Trump aired his distrust at the New York court, implying the judge was ‘crooked’ and the conviction was ‘rigged’. He appealed for immunity from the charges after a Supreme Court ruling. 

Politico writes that Alvin Bragg, the district attorney who handled Trump’s case, came forward in response to all questions and doubts about the sentencing, emphasizing that the jurors, in their duty, did not consider any outside factors and that the case proceeded like any other despite the defendant’s unique nature.

“My response, again, is that I did my job,” said Bragg.

During this time, Trump’s campaign sent a steady supply of text messages, urging supporters to stand with Trump ‘following this injustice.’ This effort led to a surge in fundraising, as the former President reportedly raised over 400 Million in the money race against the Democratic Party.

Robert F Kennedy Jr., a former Democrat and independent candidate for the 2024 election, voiced his concern stating the conviction, which he deemed profoundly undemocratic, could work in Trump’s favour, aiding the former President in winning at the ballot box.

And it did.

Feature image credit – ABC News