Donald Trump sat glowering in court Tuesday, arms crossed over his chest, while his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty to a 37-count federal indictment on espionage, conspiracy, obstruction and other charges. Hours later, addressing a rally and then a candlelight dinner at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club for donors who paid $100,000 apiece for the honor, Trump found his voice and proclaimed that he “had every right to keep” the classified documents at issue.
The day’s events reflected the Janus-like political and legal strategy that Trump will follow going forward. Outside the courtroom, he will beat the drums and raise money off what he portrays as a witch hunt; in court, his team will strive to put off a trial he can’t possibly win on the merits.
Trump is engaged in an outlandish and, for the country, very dangerous plot to delay the case until he can end it by winning the presidency in 2024. At that point, he could just order the Department of Justice to stand down.
