Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump has faced intense scrutiny regarding his unprecedented attacks on the judicial system, according to an analysis of his social media platform. A review of over 14,000 posts on Truth Social from April 2022 to January 2024 revealed that Trump frequently uses the platform to target individuals and agencies involved in his ongoing legal cases. The analysis showed that Trump’s focus on his legal issues often surpassed his posts about his re-election campaign.
In these posts, Trump presents himself as a victim of a Democratic conspiracy aimed at derailing his presidential bid. He alleges that judges and prosecutors, at the direction of President Joe Biden, are partaking in a partisan “witch hunt.” Throughout the analyzed time period, Trump used the term “witch hunt” approximately 250 times to describe the actions against him.
These attacks on the court system coincide with Trump’s dire legal jeopardy. He currently faces four criminal trials, a defamation case, and a civil verdict within the next 12 months. The outcome of these cases could have severe consequences for Trump’s business, re-election prospects, and personal freedom. Despite denying any wrongdoing, Trump has criticized the prosecutors, plaintiffs, and judges involved, which has often led to threats and vitriol from his supporters.
Notably, Trump has intensified his online and rally attacks against judges and prosecutors in New York, Washington, Colorado, and even the conservative Supreme Court. Experts have described these attacks as unprecedented and a grave threat to the judiciary’s independence. Trump’s strategy appears to be to delegitimize the courts in the eyes of the American public, potentially influencing both the jury pool and inciting political violence.
The individuals most targeted by Trump’s attacks on Truth Social include special counsel Jack Smith, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Alvin Bragg (Manhattan District Attorney), and Fani Willis (Fulton County District Attorney), who are involved in several of his cases. The frequency of these attacks on judges and prosecutors increases near key dates in the legal proceedings.
The revelation of Trump’s relentless attacks on judges and prosecutors raises concerns about the fairness of the judicial process. Experts argue that his baseless claims and constant targeting could taint the jury pool and potentially result in hung juries. Moreover, Trump’s repeated and derogatory remarks about judges and prosecutors may fuel political violence against them and their families.
Arthur Engoron, the New York state judge presiding over the civil fraud case against Trump, has been one of the primary targets of the former president’s campaign against the judiciary. Trump has publicly attacked Engoron over 70 times on his social media platform. Similar vitriol has been directed towards other judges, including U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan and New York State Judge Juan Merchan.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling barring Trump from the state’s ballot has also sparked intense backlash. Trump has publicly ridiculed and mocked the decision, resulting in a flood of threats against the judges involved. The case is now being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which presents a potential roadblock for his presidential bid.
In summary, Trump’s relentless attacks on judges and prosecutors through his social media platform reflect a strategic attempt to undermine the court system and influence public opinion. The repercussions of these attacks are raising concerns about the fairness of the legal proceedings and the potential for political violence. As Trump’s legal battles intensify, his focus on discrediting the judiciary remains unwavering.