Prosecuting Donald Trump is right. But is it politically wise? | Simon Jenkins

Many voters back the ex-president despite - or perhaps because of - his alleged crimes. A trial might only entrench that support

The best reason for arraigning Donald Trump in New York this week is that he is guilty. It is possible that the jury might agree and he might go quietly to jail, thus being unable to return to the White House were he to be elected. That is a good reason, but it does not make it a wise one.

American justice is not political but it can be highly politicised. We won't know until Tuesday afternoon what exactly Trump has been indicted on, but many assume he will face charges of falsely concealing hush money" paid to the former adult film actor Stormy Daniels. The case was brought by an elected Democratic district attorney, Alvin Bragg. It comes more than six years after the alleged offence occurred, and at the start of Trump's campaign for the 2024 Republican nomination for president. At the very least, this does not look coincidental.