A US federal judge has based a decision on the assumption that Donald Trump committed a crime as president.

With the lawyer John Eastman, Trump tried to steal Joe Biden's election victory - a "coup", as the judge wrote.

That doesn't mean Trump's impeachment is imminent, let alone his conviction.

The judge only ordered Eastman to release files to Congress: Because he and his client Trump "probably" conspired to break the law to thwart confirmation of Biden's victory, attorney-client privilege does not apply.

In the civil process, the legal probability calculation was sufficient.

In a criminal trial, the hurdles would be much higher.

A conceivable political decision

Now, however, the pressure is growing on Biden's Attorney General to initiate proceedings.

Even if he has to make such decisions without the interference of the White House – the weighing up could not be more politically sensitive.

Trump is not only Biden's predecessor, but also a possible candidate for Biden's successor with his loyal and still large following.

And this much is certain: The fact that a Californian judge is accusing Trump of a coup only reinforces his supporters' belief that America needs a president like Trump again.

A strong man who doesn't let himself be talked into, especially not by "democratic judges".