Bragg doesn’t refer to Trump’s prosecution in his re-election campaign.

Bragg Sidesteps Trump’s Indictment as Election Campaigns Heat Up

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is staying mum about President Donald Trump’s indictment related to business record falsifications as he seeks to secure his re-election. It’s an interesting move, especially since New York is also gearing up to choose a new mayor.

Having first been elected in 2021, Bragg is now running for re-election in 2024. He indicted Trump on multiple felony counts during the former president’s own campaign, which, you know, must have put him in a really challenging position. Trump, after some weeks of court appearances, was ultimately convicted on those charges.

As Bragg campaigns, he seems to be trying to distance himself from the case that defined headlines not too long ago. In fact, during an early October event, when a supporter congratulated him on his prosecution of Trump, Bragg didn’t even acknowledge the comment. That’s, well, telling.

On October 24, Bragg participated in a debate where, again, he avoided mentioning the high-profile case against Trump. His Republican rival, Maude Maron, and independent candidate Diana Florence, both challenged him, but the former DA didn’t bring it up—not even when they talked about his past prosecutions. He cited various significant cases, noting he had indicted two mayors among others. It seemed like a deliberate omission, wouldn’t you say?

Maron even pointed out during the debate that Bragg skipped mentioning Trump in a list of politicians he had indicted. The truth is, the former president was essentially a notable absentee, despite his relevance to Bragg’s narrative.

Bragg’s office had previously convicted Trump on 34 counts related to payments intended to hush up allegations from Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump has always claimed he’s innocent of these charges. Bragg, who picked up the case after various federal investigations closed down, had to navigate around a complicated backdrop, where various agencies chose not to pursue it for different reasons.

With all this swirling around, Trump calls it a “witch hunt” instigated by Democrats, positioning it as a tactic to thwart his re-election efforts. It’s certainly a fraught atmosphere right now, with Bragg’s office facing scrutiny while Trump appeals his conviction.

One interesting detail is how Bragg, although distancing himself from the Trump indictment in his campaign, previously described the trial as a reflection of his office upholding the law. He had noted that their pursuit was consistent with how they handle all cases, maintaining impartiality despite the high stakes involved.

When confronted about his avoidance of the Trump case in interviews, Bragg explained that it is still under appeal and, due to limitations on discussing ongoing cases, he can’t comment in depth. That can give off the vibe of careful political maneuvering, which perhaps is wise given the circumstances, but it also leaves a lot on the table for speculation.