Prosecuting Politicians

Abstract This paper examines the argument that prosecutors should consider public perceptions when deciding to prosecute political figures. This was a popular argument marshalled to criticize the many prosecutions of former and current United States president Donald J. Trump. Using the tools of analytic philosophy, I construct what I think is the most compelling version of this argument. The argument is not obviously wrong but does encounter problems. I raise what I think are two decisive objections against it. I conclude that prosecutors need not worry about perceptions of political motivation when deciding to charge political figures.