In a strategic move to merge his political and legal battles, former President Donald Trump has obliterated the distinction between being a candidate and a defendant. As he sets his sights on securing the 2024 nomination, Trump has incorporated arguments from his court filings, verbally attacked judges, and exerted pressure on his own judicial appointees during his recent campaign rallies.

This tactic reflects Trump's approach of turning his legal cases into political spectacles, leveraging them to energize his supporters and raise funds. However, during recent events in Iowa and New Hampshire, Trump has taken it a step further, intertwining his courtroom woes with his campaign rhetoric. His rallies now consist of passionately-delivered diatribes infused with his characteristic flourish, something even his own attorneys refrain from echoing.

This shift in strategy exemplifies Trump's recognition that his fate in the courtroom is intertwined with his destiny as a presidential candidate. Polls indicate that a significant portion of voters would reconsider their support for him if he were to be convicted of crimes. Simultaneously, his success as a defendant might depend on his performance in the campaign, and whether he can secure the presidency before a jury determines his alleged transgressions.

An example of Trump's blend of legal and political arguments occurred during a recent rally in New Hampshire. He spoke at length about his legal claim of immunity from charges related to his alleged attempt to subvert the 2020 election. While his lawyers nuanced their argument before a federal appeals court, suggesting that presidents could be prosecuted under certain circumstances, Trump simplified it by clamoring for "full and total immunity" for all presidents. He even invoked World War II, speculating that Harry Truman might not have dropped atomic bombs on Japan if he feared prosecution. Notably, Trump's attorneys did not employ this example in court.

Trump's campaign maintains a peculiar symbiotic relationship with the four criminal cases against him. His team capitalizes on his courtroom appearances by sending real-time fundraising appeals linked to these events, as well as providing updates on the proceedings.

The conjunction between Trump's legal battles and his campaign is expected to intensify if he emerges victorious in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, effectively securing the GOP's presumptive nomination for the 2024 election. This development would afford Trump the time and resources to focus on his legal calendar while preparing for the general election.

Despite judges traditionally disregarding political considerations when scheduling court dates, it becomes increasingly challenging to ignore the likelihood of Trump becoming the Republican nominee in 2024. Acknowledging this, Trump has begun exerting direct pressure on Republican-appointed judges, accusing them of being overly fair to Democrats and suggesting they prioritize political correctness less.

Furthermore, Trump has maintained his longstanding campaign rhetoric of vilifying prosecutors involved in his indictments, Democratic-appointed judges overseeing his cases, and leaders of the Justice Department and FBI. Special counsel Jack Smith, responsible for two of the four criminal cases against Trump, secured a gag order intended to prevent him from harassing prosecutors and court staff who have occasionally faced his ire and the subsequent torrent of threats.

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the fusion of Trump's legal battles and his campaign is set to play a significant role. The outcome of his legal proceedings may heavily influence his prospects as a candidate, just as his performance on the campaign trail may impact his chances in the courtroom. The blurred lines between Trump the candidate and Trump the defendant have created a high-stakes race with wide-ranging implications for the former president.