Dem
47
GOP
53
Can a president go to prison for commiting crimes? Let's look.
In late October of last year, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy checked in at a French prison after being convicted of seeking campaign contributions from a foreigner—in his case, former Libyan dictator Moemmar Gaddafi. Sarkozy went on trial, was convicted, appealed, and lost. He spent a few weeks in prison, and then was released while his appeals play out. Still, the rule of law holds in France.
In Brazil, Donald Trump's buddy and imitator, Jair Bolsonaro, was sentenced to 27 years after staging an unsuccessful coup. Initially he was serving time under house arrest, but when he tampered with his ankle monitor, the courts didn't trust him and ordered him to prison. He has a relatively good deal, with a 130-square foot cell with a bed, desk, private bathroom, TV, and air conditioning. But it is still prison. The rule of law holds in Brazil.
In South Korea, former president Yoon Suk Yeol is in prison after having been convicted of criminal insurrection and abuse of power, among other charges, after he declared martial law in order to circumvent an opposition-led legislature. He is the only South Korean president arrested while in office. The rule of law holds in South Korea.
In Thailand, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire, is in prison. His family dynasty has led the country for decades. But that wasn't enough for him. He abused his power to benefit his family's businesses. He was in exile but when he returned was granted clemency by the king and his 8-year sentence was reduced to 1 year. The rule of law holds in Thailand.
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is in prison, but not in the Philippines. He is in prison in The Hague waiting for trial on charges of crimes against humanity. His successor had him arrested in March. The rule of law holds in The Philippines.
As you probably have heard, American exceptionalism is a real thing. (V)