It’s fortunate Trump’s sentencing is postponed until after the election

Judge Juan Merchan may have saved American democracy by delaying Donald Trump’s sentencing on a felony conviction. Trump had falsified records to cover up a hush-money scheme with a porn star during his 2016 campaign. The delay allows Trump to campaign without the sentencing hanging over him. Many saw this as a victory for Trump, enabling him to portray himself as a victim. This tactic of portraying himself as persecuted is not new for Trump, and it has dangerous consequences, as seen in the January 6 insurrection. History shows that holding would-be dictators accountable during crucial political moments is risky, as in Adolf Hitler’s 1924 trial for high treason following the Beer Hall Putsch. Hitler used the trial to portray himself as a martyr and gained political support.

While Trump and Hitler’s situations are not identical, they both used victimization and demagoguery to bolster their political standing. Delaying Trump’s sentencing may prevent him from garnering sympathy as a victim before the election. Holding Trump accountable for his crimes is important, but avoiding a martyrdom narrative may be more beneficial for the country’s stability.