The trial of Trump: A difference of opinion

Former President Donald Trump arrived at the iconic Versailles Cuban restaurant on Tuesday after leaving an intense scene inside a Miami courthouse. He greeted the patrons and even joined in prayer. 

Trump faced his second indictment yesterday at 3 p.m. relating to mishandling of classified documents. He is facing 37 federal charges. His first indictment, which took place on March 30, 2023, involved an allegation of hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Opinions varied on the streets of Miami on whether the indictment was justified, whether Trump is fit to serve again as president and even whether the billionaire ought to go to jail. Some people said it’s all part of a witch hunt to frame him. Others contended he got what’s coming to him, ending a long history of allegations without result. Most everyone felt it was a historic event,

“This could affect the way people view politicians,” said Mar Cordova, 37, an attorney from Miami. “If Trump is found guilty people won’t be as trusting. It can cause an uproar among all the Trump supporters.” 

Others despise Trump and believe he is guilty of mishandling classified documents.

Sole Amadi, 23, who is an FIU student, believes the former president is just an unpleasant man. 

“I don’t like anything about him,” she said. “His policies. His politics. His personality.”

Danny Penton, 28, is another FIU student from Miami. He says that he saw this all coming.  He trusts the justice system will do the right thing after considering the evidence. 

“If he’s mishandled private documents and the charges against him are true, I think what’s going on right now and this indictment against him are worth it,” Penton said. 

Others believe the indictment is merely a witch hunt.

Javier Valdes, 40, is a football coach at Southridge Senior High in South Miami Heights. He is a Trump supporter and voted for him twice. He believes the indictment is wrong. 

“This is bogus!” he said. “The only reason why they are indicting him is to push him away from the next presidential term. They know if he runs again, he will win.” 

Ryan Bennett, 20, another FIU student, thinks the indictment isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but he is patiently awaiting the verdict before he reacts. 

“I don’t think it is inherently unjust what’s happening right now,” he said. “I think the best thing is to see what the verdict is. We have due process in this country and everyone has the right to be tried, and presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Considering the new set of charges brought against Trump, it’s worth remembering that he once said, “From the beginning, the Democrats spied on my campaign, remember that? They attacked me with an onslaught of fraudulent investigations. Russia, Russia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine impeachment hoax No. 1, impeachment hoax No. 2, the illegal and unconstitutional raid on Mar-a-Lago right here.” Source: https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1643414094383403010

Whether he is found guilty or not guilty (and he has pleaded not guilty to all 37 charges), this entire judicial process will either bless or blemish his already turbulent reputation as a politician, (and part of his platform is claiming that he is not one). Especially given his tendency to bring profit to news agencies for attracting viewers who either love him or hate him (Trump is good for business). Trump is a figure to be reckoned with because for many he is exactly the demagogue they feel America needs. 

Antonio Gimenez is a cybersecurity analyst and a journalist. He describes himself as a polemicist, essayist, and alchemist of ideas.

Omar J. Cabrera, 26, currently studying journalism at FIU. He has been collecting comic books at the age of 12 and is an aspiring reporter.

Kenya Cardonne is a senior at Florida International University majoring in Digital Communications + Multimedia Production with a Minor in Art. She enjoys producing all forms of art including film and photography while aspiring to grow in the T.V. industry.