Trump shows in Iowa he still rules the GOP – despite his deepening criminal peril Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN

Trump's Legal Woes Fail to Deter His Strong Grip on GOP Race

Former President Donald Trump showcased his unwavering hold on the Republican presidential race during a recent gathering of all the leading candidates in Iowa. Despite a growing pile of criminal charges, his opponents were hesitant to address the legal issues, fearing alienation from his massive grassroots support. Trump's appearance marked his first major public event since facing new charges related to classified documents.

Though the legal threats loom large, Trump remains focused on reclaiming the presidency to shield himself from criminal exposure. He decried what he perceives as political weaponization of justice by the Biden administration and portrayed himself as a victim of persecution. Trump's legal troubles include cases surrounding his election loss and a hush money payment made to an adult film actress.

While some lesser-known candidates did take on Trump's legal situation, the major contenders refrained from directly criticizing him, aware of his strong position in Iowa's polls and national GOP support. The showcase event allowed the candidates to present their positions, but it became evident that Trump is still the favored candidate among the party faithful.

Despite the mounting challenges, Trump's popularity in Iowa appears solid, and the other candidates seem more focused on becoming the alternative to him than on challenging his frontrunner status. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, once seen as Trump's top rival, faced setbacks in his campaign, leading to concerns among donors.

During the event, Trump delivered an impressive ten-minute presentation, emphasizing his accomplishments while in office and portraying himself as Iowa's greatest ally. He used his legacy to his advantage, suggesting that without him, Iowa would not have retained its first-in-the-nation status for presidential nominating contests.

Other candidates struggled to make significant gains during the event, and even former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was absent. While it remains uncertain how the legal challenges will unfold, Trump's firm grip on the GOP race appears difficult to break, at least for now.

As the campaign progresses, the dynamics could change, but for the time being, Trump's legal woes do not seem to be enough to deter his strong support in the Republican primary.