On April 4, 2023, Donald Trump was arrested and became the first president of the United States to face criminal charges during or following his term. He has been charged with 34 felony counts of first-degree falsifying business records, to which he has pleaded not guilty. These charges are related to several hush-money payments made to women, including Stormy Daniels, as well as to a former doorman who allegedly knew of an unknown woman whom Trump had impregnated at the time. All of these crimes are alleged to have taken place before the 2016 election with the intention of preventing these scandals from thwarting Trump's campaign.

Typically, the charge of falsifying business records in the first degree is considered a misdemeanor. However, in this case, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Donald Trump with felonies, indicating that there may be more serious allegations involved. While Bragg is not required to provide further details, he has hinted that Trump's false statements were made to conceal potential crimes related to the 2016 election. Bragg asked, "Why did Donald Trump repeatedly make these false statements? The evidence will show that he did so to cover up crimes relating to the 2016 election."

Donald Trump's relationship with the law has been rocky to say the least. Last September, the FBI conducted a raid on his home on suspicion of stolen documents. With Trump potentially running as a challenger to Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election, it is reasonable to question whether this arrest is a genuine act of justice or an effort to prevent Biden from losing in 2024. It is worth noting that Biden passed a law making it illegal for rail workers to strike, which further tarnished his public image and lowered even further the president's popularity.

Prior to Trump's arrest, the media branch of the current U.S. government appeared to be gearing up to praise Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's actions. NPR released an article one day before the arrest stating, "Other countries have prosecuted their leaders. What took the U.S. so long?" However, the agency's previous articles, particularly regarding the 2021 Nicaraguan presidential election, demonstrate their hypocrisy and make their support of Bragg's actions seem disingenuous.

The Western media subjected Daniel Ortega to harsh criticism, accusing him of arresting political opponents without sufficient evidence. NPR contributor Carrie Kahn noted, “Ortega's opponents say the election was rigged. There were no viable challengers. Last spring, Ortega jailed dozens of opponents, including seven people planning to challenge him for the presidency. Voters in Nicaragua appeared to have heeded calls to boycott the contest.”

President Biden referred to the Nicaraguan election as a "pantomime election" due to the arrest of political opponents. If Trump's arrest prevents him from running in 2024, it raises the question of whether Biden's own presidency is legitimate or just a pantomime. The United States has a history of engaging in double standards to justify the actions of its politicians, and this situation may be another example of such behavior.

Other leaders are aware of this hypocrisy and have decided to voice their opinion. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele stated, "Think what you want about former President Trump and the reasons he's being indicted, but just imagine if this happened in any other country, where a government arrested the main opposition candidate. The United States' ability to use 'democracy' as foreign policy is gone."

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has expressed his opinion on this issue, pointing out the utter hypocrisy in the United States' approach to foreign policy. Bukele stated that while people may have differing opinions about the reasons behind Trump's indictment, it is worth considering what would happen if such an arrest occurred in another country where the main opposition candidate was arrested. He argues that the United States' ability to use "democracy" as a tool of foreign policy would be compromised if such actions were taken in other countries. It is indeed surprising that the first time a president is being arrested is not for some of the more egregious actions committed by former heads of state, such as drone strikes on civilians or torture of prisoners. Instead, it is for alleged financial improprieties related to a payment to a prostitute.

Reminiscent of infamous mob leader Al Capone who was arrested on tax charges while his more sinister crimes were well known, Trump is no angel and has a litany of actual crimes that are more damaging than falsifying business records. During his administration we saw many actions that rivaled his drone-strike loving predecessors. Even though many claim Trump to be a solid statesman, he worsened relations with many anti-imperialist nations, continuing America’s aggressive foreign policy. Tensions were raised to a new high with Iran after Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian military general Qasem Soleimani, the lingering effects still putting Americans at risk of a counterattack. Increased sanctions on Cuba and plots to overthrow governments like Venezuela also highlighted Trump's foreign policy actions that are definitely more serious and harmful than the charges being brought up.

Just like the notorious mob boss Al Capone, who was nabbed for tax evasion while his more monstrous crimes were well-known, Trump has committed numerous genuine offenses that surpass falsifying business records in terms of severity. Throughout his presidency, he undertook actions that mirrored his drone-strike-loving predecessors. Despite claims of Trump's prowess as a statesman, he worsened relationships with several anti-imperialist countries and persisted with America's aggressive foreign policy. Trump's assassination of Qasim Soleimani, an Iranian military general, ratcheted up tensions with Iran to an unprecedented level, and the after-effects still pose a threat to Americans by elevating the probability of a retaliatory strike. Trump's foreign policy moves, such as intensifying sanctions on Cuba and conspiring to overthrow governments like Venezuela's, were without doubt more serious and harmful than the charges currently leveled against him.

The recent arrest sets a perilous precedent by exacerbating the erosion of public trust in what should be transparent and impartial electoral processes. While the American populace already knows that the justice system tends to favor the wealthy, this arrest is a greater leap into authoritarian tactics that bury any remnants of democracy in a shallow grave. President Biden's recent actions, which include depriving railway unions of their right to strike and endorsing the arrest of a political rival on charges that are usually misdemeanors, demonstrate a flagrant disregard for democratic principles and signify a progression towards authoritarianism that many people had feared but hoped would never materialize.