On Tuesday, Donald Trump not only secured the presidency but also dodged accountability from the U.S. Department of Justice for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election and for retaining classified documents after his defeat.

Trump’s two federal criminal trials, which have been prolonged by his tactics to postpone proceedings until political outcomes could favor him, are poised to conclude suddenly.

In addition, Trump will exploit the goodwill of public officials in a deceptive manner to again confuse the public regarding the origins of the criminal charges he faces. He will frame a legal victory achieved through the electoral process, rather than a court ruling, as evidence that the allegations against him were somehow invalid.

But they are not invalid.

Trump is also under criminal scrutiny in New York, where he was found guilty on 34 felony charges in May, and in Georgia, where he is still contending with allegations regarding his attempt to overturn the election results there.

This Tuesday, Trump has a hearing in New York concerning his bid to overturn his felony conviction after the U.S. Supreme Court’s more politically inclined justices indicated in July that he could be tried but declared he had immunity for any presidential actions.

His sentencing for this matter is scheduled for November 26. He is a convicted felon, and he is currently not the president. We have a verdict, and it is time for a sentence as well.

Federal investigations into Trump are likely to cease immediately

Jack Smith, the special counsel overseeing both federal cases, is reportedly planning to wind down the cases before Trump potentially takes office again in ten weeks.

This is misguided. I see why Smith is taking this route. Both he and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland hold the Department of Justice in high regard, believing this move could protect it.

However, this action could have the opposite effect. I’m not suggesting that the federal cases against Trump should continue, as that would likely lead to chaos—and we certainly have enough chaos on our hands. What matters here is who chooses to end these cases and how they go about it.

The Office of Legal Counsel of the department stated 51 years ago, and reaffirmed this in 2000, that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted for federal offenses. Thus, Smith is adhering to established precedent. However, by doing so, he risks undermining the department’s credibility.

Trump’s campaign is already taking Smith’s intentions and using them to criticize him and the Justice Department, questioning the very essence of justice. Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, asserted on Wednesday, “It’s now clear that Americans demand an immediate halt to the ongoing weaponization of our justice system.”

Here, the Trump campaign is using justice as a weapon against the Department of Justice. Winning an election does not equate to being acquitted by a jury of your peers, but that’s how Trump wants to frame the narrative. His political agenda drives him to mischaracterize these cases as politically motivated.

It makes logical sense for Smith to step down from his position before Trump assumes his, given Trump’s stated willingness to remove the special counsel if he were to win. Yet, the manner in which Smith exits is crucial.

Trump will rush to manipulate the Justice Department. Make sure he is held accountable.

Trump is expected to appoint a new attorney general and has made it clear he intends to use this individual and the Department of Justice as a tool to retaliate against those he perceives as his political adversaries. However, it is vital that this appointee first be accountable for ending the criminal proceedings against Trump.

It is essential to ensure that Trump and his newly appointed attorney general take responsibility for this action publicly, forever linking it to his unfounded rants about being persecuted, while simultaneously compiling evidence to demonstrate the exact opposite.

It is essential to document all instances, detailing every piece of evidence, every statement made during testimony, and every aspect of the unlawful conduct we witnessed from Trump.

This pertains to his situation in Washington, D.C., where Trump is being held responsible for his actions related to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

On Friday, Smith requested the judge to remove all the deadlines regarding how the case proceeds, hinting at a possible conclusion to it.

Anticipate a similar move in the Florida case, as Smith continues his efforts to revive it in an appellate court following a ruling from a judge appointed by Trump in July, which allowed him to evade consequences for retaining classified documents post-presidency and refusing to return them.

Everything must be filed in court. A comprehensive and detailed record should be established. It is crucial not to allow these cases to diminish. Trump’s legal team should be compelled to confront them publicly.

Trump skillfully evaded accountability

Trump, a former president protected by the Secret Service, has never appeared at risk of serving time for his New York conviction related to fraudulent activities in his real estate business. It was a financial crime. The judge should impose a substantial financial penalty and a lengthy probation period.

A four-year probation sounds appropriate.

The situation in Georgia is more intricate due to Trump’s strategies aimed at delaying the legal process until after the election results might shield him from responsibility. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has struggled to advance the case consistently.

She should pursue a strategy to set it aside now, which is what Trump desires, but only if he agrees that he cannot later object to a speedy trial violation if Willis or another prosecutor attempts to bring the case back in four years.

Justice that is delayed does not always equate to justice denied. We will need to wait and see if Trump eventually has to face it.