On Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump was arrested on criminal charges in New York, but according to the White House, the current US President, Joseph Biden, gave the event scant notice. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden would catch up on the news when he had a moment, but it was not a focus for him. Instead, Biden’s only public activity on Tuesday was a meeting with advisers on cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. Trump handed himself in for a historic court hearing in New York, which was held amidst heavy security and a media frenzy across the world. As the Republican billionaire is now the first American president in history to be charged with a crime, this hearing is a turning point for the US criminal justice and political systems. Moreover, it has the potential to completely alter the 2024 presidential election, in which Trump is presently the probable Republican contender. The case launched by Democrat-elected Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accuses Trump of paying $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels only days before his victory in the presidential elections. Former Trump attorney and adviser Michael Cohen, who has now turned on his former employer, claims to have set up the payment to Daniels in exchange for her silence over an alleged tryst between the two in 2006. Trump, whose third wife Melania had just given birth at the time, denies having an extramarital affair. According to law professionals, if the money is not properly accounted for, it may lead to prosecution for fabricating corporate records, potentially to hide a campaign financing violation. Although the arrest of a former US President is a significant event, the fact that President Biden did not pay much attention to it is not surprising. As the sitting President, Biden has a lot on his plate, including dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, foreign relations, and domestic issues such as gun control and immigration. Moreover, Biden may not want to get involved in the legal proceedings against his predecessor, as it could be perceived as political interference. However, the arrest of Trump and the ongoing legal proceedings against him are undoubtedly a matter of interest to many Americans, especially as they have the potential to affect the political landscape in the country. With the next presidential election just a few years away, the outcome of this case could have significant ramifications. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and what impact they will have on the political landscape in the US
