Indicting Trump wouldn't be Biden's first priority

President Joe Biden outlined additional measures to save land and water this week. He met with the "Ted Lasso" cast to discuss mental health and published a 500-page economic study.

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Any mention of the drama that has captivated Washington-the possible criminal prosecution of his former and present competitor, Donald Trump—was conspicuously absent.

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There is no precedent for what a president should do when a former president is accused of a crime. This has never occurred in the country's history. Democratic strategists and sources close to the White House claimed that Biden's strategy is to remain mute and stay away from a crowd that could lure him in.

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A Trump indictment may present a tangled set of incentives and hazards for a sitting president on the eve of a re-election campaign. Democrats close to Biden believe Trump is a weak candidate they want to oppose in the general election. He is a strong favorite to be the GOP nominee in 2024.

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It's a standard campaign strategy to play up opponents' issues, which is why people want to harp on and on about Trump's legal woes. But given his position, legal professionals advised Biden to use caution. He chose Merrick Garland as attorney general, who will ultimately determine whether to bring charges against Trump in a different federal probe involving his handling of confidential data and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

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Any remark Biden makes regarding Trump's escalating legal issues might be interpreted as an effort to sway Garland.

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Uncovering ways to take advantage of Trump's situation could backfire politically and encourage Biden's detractors to raise awareness of the legal investigation into secret documents he is currently facing.

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Additionally, Democrats claim that by speaking out, Biden runs the risk of supporting Trump's claim that the probes are an underhanded attempt to harm his presidential campaign. Trump made that case in fundraising emails before the indictment.

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According to Lis Smith, a Democratic strategist, and advisor to Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, "Democrats would be wise to let this unfold and not politicize it too much." If they do, Donald Trump and the Republicans will claim that this is a witch hunt.

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A Biden advisor claimed that it was too early to assess how an indictment of Trump might affect the election. Biden's speech will focus on economic difficulties, and he will support his budget ideas while denouncing those of conservative Republicans who, in his opinion, jeopardize Social Security and Medicare.

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However, the White House is keeping an eye on any potential demonstrations that might follow an indictment. Officials at the White House expressed relief that Trump's weekend appeals for protests fizzled out.

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During a news briefing this week, John Kirby, a Biden national security spokesman, stated: "We're continually monitoring this — as you would assume we should, particularly in light of what happened on January 6th."

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It is generally realistic to assume that candidates will face more difficult paths to victory when indicted. Trump has often defied governmental gravity, according to political commentators. Therefore, he might be the exception. But, Biden associates stated that they do not anticipate political windfalls beyond an increase in small-donation amounts.

Given Trump's reputation and how opinions about him have become more entrenched in both camps, they claimed that an indictment was unlikely to persuade anyone to change their position about him.

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No matter the provocation Trump's favorability ratings remain unchanged. For instance, Trump's overall approval rating remained unchanged following the FBI's search for secret documents at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago in August – it is currently in the mid-30s.

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"The people who claim he's lawless think he's lawless whether he's indicted or not," said Amanda Loveday, a former staffer to Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and an adviser to Unite the Country, an organization advocating Biden's policy agenda. "Even if he is indicted, those who do not believe he is an outlaw will not change their minds. Trump is one of those extremely unique leaders who you believe about him based on your personal beliefs, whether they are based on reality or fiction.”

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Biden encountered skepticism within his party at 80. Only 37% of Democrats wanted him to seek another term, according to a poll conducted by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research last month.

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The 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, prompted Biden to run for president in 2020. After that infamous event, Trump said there were "really great people" on both sides. Biden claimed that Trump's comments inspired him to lead a counterforce.

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So even though his initial campaign is over, Biden might not be prepared to step down yet.

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Former Democratic congressman from New York Carolyn Maloney was one of several who expressed skepticism about a Biden re-election effort. She expressed her doubts about Biden's reelection before losing her congressional seat last year.

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Maloney, who is 77 years old, responded that he earned another term. He was asked if Trump's baggage may cause Biden to withdraw from the race. He's using gas to cook, guy! This is a record I've never seen before, she said.

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"You've got to realize that there is a change in Americans' health," she remarked, citing several older individuals she had encountered who were still leading fulfilling lives. Americans have longer lifespans.

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“If you look at Biden,” she added, “he’s too busy to die.”