Op-ed by Elad Hakim | Photo: Alamy
Some anti-Trumpers supporting one of the other Republican presidential candidates have recently joined the Democrats in praising the indictments against President Donald Trump.
They are using these indictments to promote a false and ridiculous talking point that Trump is unelectable and that he should drop out of the race. Those praising these indictments cannot possibly put “America First” and are, in essence, green-lighting the continued weaponization of the justice system against Trump and other Republicans, thereby creating a dangerous precedent.
To date, all signs point to the conclusion that Joe Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, special counsel Jack Smith, various left-wing prosecutors, and a weaponized Department of Justice have politicized and weaponized the justice system to interfere in the 2024 elections by indicting the presumptive Republican nominee. I previously wrote about the weaponization of the justice system against Trump here.
Notwithstanding, some Republicans, their supporters, and social media influencers are calling for Trump to drop out of the race because of these indictments. Some assert that he is too much of a liability. Others claim that he is too busy defending himself to focus on the presidency. Astonishingly, there are others who blame him for the various indictments and who believe that he should be incarcerated.
Any Republican who is pushing for Trump to drop out of the race because of these indictments and who is not firmly standing with Trump against these indictments cannot possibly be America First and is making a critical mistake.
America First
The America First movement is about freedom, paying homage to our nation’s military members, helping those in need during difficult times like those seen in East Palestine, Ohio, respecting the nation’s flag, working for the American people, putting America first, and making America a great and prosperous nation.
Those pushing Trump to drop out because of the various indictments cannot possibly believe in the principles of the America First movement. America First is about freedom, not persecution. It is about living the American dream, not weaponizing the system of justice against a particular person or group.
In essence, those pushing for Trump to exit the race are standing behind one or more of the indictments and denying the real possibility that the justice system has been weaponized against a political opponent. How can they support the persecution of a man who has done so much for the nation and simultaneously assert that they are America First? These two approaches are counterintuitive and cannot stand in unison.
A dangerous precedent
Additionally, those pushing Trump to withdraw are promoting a dangerous precedent by green-lighting the weaponization of the justice system against an individual or group. They either fail to understand or turn a blind eye to the real possibility that their candidate of choice could very well experience similar or identical treatment in the future.
When it comes to these indictments, the question is not whether they support Trump or someone else. Rather, the question is whether they support a politicized and weaponized system of justice that could come after them or their preferred candidate at will.
Anti-Trumpers and those supporting other Republican candidates should not disregard this warning as mere hyperbole or view what is happening to Trump as a one-off incident. As Trump recently explained on Truth Social,
“Same as the Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX. They knowingly accuse you of a fake crime, a crime that they actually make up, you fight these false charges hard, and they try and get you on ‘obstruction.’ We are dealing with sick and evil people!”
If this can happen to Trump, it can happen to anyone.
As a result, Trump should not drop out. He should continue to fight and push forward with the knowledge and assurance that millions of America First patriots are fully behind him.
Mr. Hakim is an attorney and columnist. His articles have been published in The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, American Thinker, and other online publications. He is also a regular guest on OANN’s Tipping Point, and has appeared on Newsmax, Steadfast and Loyal Podcast with Allen West, The Dave Weinbaum Show, and Real America’s Voice. The views expressed herein are the author’s own and do not constitute legal advice.
