Supreme Court cements Donald Trump’s path to prison by giving his tax returns to New York grand jury
For some time now, Palmer Report has been pointing out that Donald Trump is going to prison once he’s no longer in office. That was going to happen no matter how today’s Supreme Court ruling went; the mere confirmed existence of the New York grand jury meant that Trump was going to get hit with various state charges. But this ruling helps cement Trump’s path to prison.
The Supreme Court split its rulings today, giving Trump’s tax returns to the grand jury but not to the House. The latter was an incorrect and unfortunate decision, but the former is an absolute bodyblow to Trump. It means the New York grand jury gets to see the entirety of Trump’s financial records now, while he’s still in office, meaning it can bring a full boatload of indictments against him the minute he leaves office – or even while he’s still in office.
We don’t see a scenario where Trump is arrested by New York State while he’s still in office. But imagine the impact a criminal indictment would have on the election. Even if New York waits until after the election, it still means Trump will be going directly from the White House to a jail cell if he loses the election.
All along we’ve argued that Donald Trump hasn’t “gotten away” with anything. His corrupt failed presidency has left him with an approval rating that will make it extremely difficult to win, or even cheat at, reelection. And his life of crime has ensured that he’ll end up in prison after he’s gone from office. Trump has done untold damage – but he’s going to lose everything.
Bill Palmer is the publisher of the political news outlet Palmer Report