Democrat New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed satisfaction on Tuesday that the Manhattan legal case against former President Donald Trump is serving to restrict his campaign efforts.
Outside Capitol Hill, Ocasio-Cortez commented on Trump’s upcoming rally in the South Bronx, noting that the former president is constrained to the deep-blue state of New York because he is figuratively under a “legal version of an ankle bracelet,” which prevents him from freely campaigning in key swing states.
“He’s hosting the rally in the South Bronx not to make a political statement, but because he’s tied up with court proceedings,” Ocasio-Cortez stated. “He’s essentially got a legal ankle bracelet and can’t leave the five boroughs because of his ongoing court appearances. It’s quite an embarrassment for him.”
AOC says the quiet part out loud:
They stopped Trump from campaigning by putting him in a “legal version of an ankle bracelet” pic.twitter.com/qiNjbypQlC
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 22, 2024
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has accused Trump of incorrectly categorizing payments made to his former lawyer, convicted criminal Michael Cohen, to keep porn star Stormy Daniels silent, as legal fees rather than campaign expenses. Bragg claims Trump wanted to bury the story to protect his electoral chances. Cohen testified that Trump’s initial concern was his family’s well-being. Regardless, Trump has had to attend court, fulfilling Bragg’s campaign promise to use the legal system against a political rival.
Despite the hopes of some Trump supporters in New York, the state remains an unwinnable target for a Republican presidential candidate, even if he attracts more nontraditional voters.
For Trump, campaigning in crucial states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin is more vital. However, ongoing trials hinder Trump’s ability to visit these battleground states mid-week, as experts across the political spectrum have criticized the legitimacy of the case.
A recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed Trump leading Biden in five key swing states among both registered and likely voters. Yet, the more time Trump spends away from these voters due to court obligations, the more his lead is jeopardized.
Apart from the Manhattan court case, Trump is also dealing with multiple other legal battles in D.C., Georgia, Florida, and New York, brought by state and local authorities, and the Biden Justice Department. These legal battles are exhausting both his financial resources and his time — in a civil case led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump is appealing a $454 million fine.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is free to campaign and is using these legal challenges to mock Trump, fundraising off the situation. In agreeing to a debate with Trump, Biden taunted Trump’s restricted schedule caused by these legal proceedings.
“Let’s pick the debate dates, Donald,” Biden teased in a short video. “I hear Wednesdays are free for you.”
While Biden jokes about the situation, other Democrats are inadvertently admitting that the legal actions against Trump are a form of election interference, making the strategy anything but humorous.
