Donald Trump arraignment: what other former presidents have had problems with the justice system?
Donald Trump is facing 91 criminal charges in four separate case brought against him, but have other presidents had run-ins with the law? We took a look.
In April, Donald Trump became the first former President of the United States to be charged with a crime, he has racked up three more indictments since for a total of 91 criminal charges against him. This is not to say that other presidents were unaware of or did not participate in illegal behavior before or while in office. Trump stands alone as the only US head of state who will confront the criminal justice system as a citizen who has been charged with a crime.
It is not hard, however, to find a laundry list of Senators, Representatives, and officials working in the executive branch who have been charged and convicted of crimes. In 2022, Representative Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska was convicted of accepting $30,000 in campaign contributions through an illegal straw man donor. The Congressman was indicted and convicted on three counts related to the falsification and concealment of material facts and lying to investigators. Fortenberry will be on probation for the next two years and was forced to pay $25,000 in fines.
How did Donald Trump get here?
The first charges brought against the former White House resident were handed down by a Manhattan grand jury which voted to indict him in the case involving Stephanie Clifford, better known by her stage name, Stormy Daniels, who authorities believe was paid hush money by Donald Trump’s campaign in 2016.
According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, made a $130,000 payment to Daniels on the former president’s behalf to cover up an affair and avoid hurting his 2016 presidential bid. He is facing 34 criminal felonies related to just this one case.
Donald Trump facing ever more criminal charges
Trump’s legal troubles deepened in June when Special Council Jack Smith brought charges resulting from his investigation into the former president’s illegal retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Additional charges were added for the same case taking place in federal court in Florida in July.
Trump’s third criminal indictment in July was also brought by Special Council Smith, only this time in a federal court in Washington DC. Those charges are related to his involvement in the January 6 assault on the US Capitol.
The most recent charges were brought this month in Georgia by Fulton County grand jury accusing Trump and 18 codefendants of illegally attempting to overturn the election results in the Peach State. The criminal indictment includes a total of 41 criminal counts for racketeering, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation, filing false documents and making false statements.