Or consider the possibility that Trump is indeed indicted on charges stemming from the House Jan. 6 committee and Department of Justice but found not guilty, fueling partisan anger and conspiracy theories about a "deep state" out to get Trump. Or think about the chance that authorities will decline to prosecute Trump at all, leaving many Americans wondering what the point was of investigations and hearings – and raising questions abroad about whether the U.S. is serious about accountability and justice standards demanded of other countries. Prosecuting Trump "is incredibly important not only to affirm the rule of law and win back respect for those institutions" but "important to restore trust of citizens and the world in democracy," adds Ben-Ghiat, who provided the Jan.