Trump's Behavior: A License To Break Laws?

Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of breaking the law on several occasions. In 2020, he threatened to use force to quell protests and deployed federal agents and National Guard troops who used excessive force against protestors and journalists. Trump has also been accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election result, pressuring officials to reverse the results, knowingly spreading lies about election fraud, and seeking to exploit the Capitol riot to delay the certification of Joe Biden's victory. Trump has been charged with four criminal counts, including conspiracy to defraud the US and conspiracy against the rights of citizens. In addition, he is the first former president in US history to be criminally convicted, having been found guilty of falsifying business records. Trump's behaviour has set a dangerous precedent that presidents are above the law and has potentially allowed citizens to break laws during protests without repercussions.

Trump's incitement of the Capitol Riots

On January 6, 2021, then-President Donald Trump held a "Save America" rally on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington, DC. In a 70-minute speech, he repeated false claims that the 2020 election had been "stolen by emboldened radical-left Democrats" and encouraged his supporters to "fight like hell" and march on the Capitol Building.

Trump's speech was part of a seven-part plan to overturn the election results and keep him in power. The attack on the Capitol was the culmination of this plan, which included attempts to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence into preventing the certification of Joe Biden's victory.

Trump's supporters, including leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers militia groups, heeded his call and marched on the Capitol. Many were armed, and hundreds breached police perimeters. Rioters assaulted Capitol Police officers and journalists, vandalised offices, and looted.

The attack on the Capitol resulted in five deaths, including that of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, and injuries to 174 police officers. The damage caused by the attackers exceeded $2.7 million.

Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for incitement of insurrection but was later acquitted by the Senate. In August 2023, he was indicted on four charges, including inciting or aiding an insurrection. However, following his reelection in November 2024, the charges were dismissed. On January 20, 2025, Trump pardoned all January 6 rioters, with the exception of 14 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election

The 2020 election was won by Joe Biden, but then-incumbent president Donald Trump refused to accept the results and pursued an unprecedented effort to overturn the election. Trump and his allies used the "big lie" propaganda technique to promote claims that had been proven false and conspiracy theories asserting the election was stolen by means of rigged voting machines, electoral fraud and an international conspiracy.

Trump pressured Department of Justice leaders to challenge the results and publicly state the election was corrupt. However, the attorney general, director of National Intelligence, and director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency – as well as some Trump campaign staff – dismissed these claims. State and federal judges, election officials, and state governors also determined the claims were baseless.

Trump's attempts to overturn the election culminated in the January 6 Capitol attack by Trump supporters in an attempted self-coup d'état. Trump and his allies encouraged state officials to throw out ballots they thought were not legally cast, challenge vote-certification processes, and overturn certified election results.

The House Jan. 6 committee urged the Justice Department to consider prosecuting Trump for four different crimes, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, and inciting or aiding an insurrection. The committee's referrals to the Justice Department carry no legal weight, but focus now shifts to the Justice Department and whether it will concur that the evidence is sufficient for prosecution.

Trump's deployment of federal agents to quell protests

In 2020, then-President Donald Trump's decision to deploy federal agents to cities to quell protests and make arrests drew widespread criticism. The protests in Portland, Oregon, which were sparked by the killing of George Floyd, had largely been peaceful. However, the presence of federal agents led to an escalation in clashes between law enforcement and protesters, resulting in an increase in arson, vandalism, and alleged police brutality.

Trump's deployment of federal agents was met with opposition from state and local officials, who believed that their presence was causing more harm than good. Oregon's Governor, Kate Brown, likened the deployment to "pouring gasoline on a fire." Portland's Mayor, Ted Wheeler, condemned the actions of the federal agents, stating that they were pulling people off the streets without probable cause and failing to identify themselves, posing a "real threat to democracy."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, along with Oregon's Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum, sued the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies for allegedly violating the rights of protesters and journalists. The lawsuits claimed that federal agents in unmarked cars had unlawfully detained demonstrators without probable cause, in violation of the Constitution.

Trump defended his decision, referring to the protesters as "anarchists" and claiming that they "hate our country." Attorney General William Barr supported Trump's actions, stating that federal agents were necessary to address "violent rioters and anarchists" who had "hijacked legitimate protests."

The deployment of federal agents to quell protests raised questions about the legality of Trump's actions and the extent of presidential power. While the Constitution generally reserves policing powers to the states, there have been historical precedents, such as during the Whiskey Rebellion, where federal troops were used to suppress civil unrest.

Trump's actions in deploying federal agents to quell protests were seen as an overreach of presidential authority and a violation of the rights of citizens to peacefully assemble and protest. The criticism and legal challenges highlighted the tension between the federal government and local authorities, with states and cities making it clear that they did not want or require federal intervention.

Trump's targeting of journalists

Donald Trump's behaviour towards journalists has been a cause for concern for many, with some fearing that his actions will have a chilling effect on press freedom. Trump has been accused of targeting critical coverage and threatening lawsuits against journalists and news organisations. This has raised questions about the future of press freedom in the United States and the ability of journalists to carry out their jobs effectively.

During his first term, Trump's administration took a hostile stance towards the media, with the president himself often criticising and attacking journalists and news outlets. This behaviour continued into his second presidential campaign, where he urged Republicans to block the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (Press) Act. The Act, which aims to protect journalists from government surveillance and ensure source confidentiality, is seen as a vital safeguard for press freedom. Despite Trump's opposition, there is still a chance that the Act will be passed and delivered to Joe Biden, providing historic protections for journalists.

Trump's actions have been interpreted by some as a threat to the media. For example, his nomination of Kash Patel as FBI director raised fears of a press crackdown due to Patel's calls for retribution against journalists. Additionally, Trump and his allies have discussed subpoenaing news organisations, prosecuting journalists, and revoking broadcast licenses. These actions have been viewed as an attempt to crack down on unfavourable media coverage and critical reporting.

The impact of Trump's behaviour on journalists and the media is significant. Many journalists have expressed concerns about the challenges of covering Trump's presidency, including the need to push back against false equivalencies and normalising language. The threat of legal action and the potential loss of press freedoms have also created a sense of uncertainty and self-censorship within the industry.

However, it is important to note that some journalists and commentators argue against the notion of a chilling effect. They believe that Trump's actions will not deter critical reporting but instead encourage journalists to be more vigilant in holding power to account.

Despite these differing opinions, there is a consensus that the role of the media in a Trump presidency is crucial. Journalists and media organisations must strive to provide accurate and critical coverage, holding the administration accountable for its actions and ensuring the public's right to information.

Trump's attempts to deport student protestors

During his 2024 election campaign, Donald Trump pledged to deport anti-Israel student protestors if he was elected. In a speech to donors, he said:

> One thing I do is, any student that protests, I throw them out of the country. You know, there are a lot of foreign students. As soon as they hear that, they’re going to behave.

Trump's comments came in reference to anti-Israel protests that had swept US college campuses during the war in Gaza. Trump vowed to defeat the "radical revolution", and praised the New York Police Department for clearing up protest encampments and a building occupation at Columbia University.

Trump's promise of "mass deportations" caused fear and uncertainty across many US college campuses. Some universities urged international students to return to campus before Trump's inauguration, with the University of Southern California recommending that foreign students be back in the US one week before Trump's return to the White House.

Trump's incoming "border czar" said he planned to revive family detention centres, and that halfway homes may be necessary for US citizen children with non-citizen parents. Trump also said he would allow Immigration Custom and Enforcement (ICE) raids in schools.

However, school administrators and staff would not be allowed to share the immigration status of any student, even if ICE entered a school facility.

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