How Trump’s Legal Pursuits Can Benefit Democrats

Writing in The Washington Post about President Trump’s lawsuits challenging the election results, Jed Shugerman argues that “Americans should not worry about these suits. Indeed, we should welcome them.”

His point is that “the lawsuits may prove to be the best way to legitimize President-elect Joe Biden’s victory and draw to a close years of bogus complaints about voter fraud.”

There’s merit to that argument, not least for the 70 million people who voted for President Trump. Because of the pandemic, there was a huge increase this year in early and mail-in voting. If some Trump voters believe that resulted in unfair irregularities, better to see the courts resolve the issue than to harbor resentments for four year — especially if the legal challenges turn out to have little merit.

As Shugerman writes, “the lack of merit in the legal complaints means they will be dead on arrival in the courts, and while the resounding rejection of Trump’s fantasies by judges will not persuade his fiercest loyalists, it will prevent conspiracy theories from spreading.”

Of course, nothing can prevent conspiracy junkies from spreading their theories, but perhaps a legal resolution will mitigate them.

Shugerman also notes that, one day, Democrats may need the same recourse: “In two years, or four years — and possibly in two months in Georgia — the shoe may be on the other foot. It would look hypocritical to condemn the very idea of challenging an election result now, only to turn around and do so in different (albeit more legitimate) circumstances.”

As unsavory as things might look now with Trump still not conceding and legal challenges continuing, a little patience would go a long way. If it takes a few more court fights to start a clean slate on January 20, it’s worth it.

In any case, there’s a lot to be said for reaching legal closure that can only strengthen the political closure.

“At last,” Shugerman writes, “Trump’s campaign will have to do something everyone in Trump’s orbit always tries to avoid: answer tough questions, with legal consequences, and confront hard evidence contradicting their boss’s spin.”

Soon enough, we will reach that legal closure. The courts must make a special effort to resolve key issues before Dec. 14, when the Electoral College will certify the winner.

The more our legal system can reassure Americans that the election results were fair and square, the better we will be able to move forward as a nation.

Plenty of people may remain skeptical and unhappy over the next four years, but the more our legal system can reassure Americans that the election results were fair and square, the better we will be able to move forward as a nation.

In the meantime, President-elect Joe Biden can continue staffing his administration and planning future policies, which I suspect is keeping him very busy.