Former USPresident, DonaldTrump (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
In a historic verdict, a New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all charges in his hush-money case, marking the first time a former US president has been criminally convicted.
Despite this conviction, Trump plans to continue his bid for the White House in the 2024 presidential election.
Can He Still Run for President?
Yes, Trump can still run for president. The US Constitution requires presidential candidates to be at least 35 years old, a natural-born US citizen, and have lived in the US for at least 14 years. It does not disqualify individuals with criminal records. However, this conviction could impact Trump’s chances.
A poll from Bloomberg and Morning Consult earlier this year found that 53% of voters in key swing states would refuse to vote for Trump if he were convicted. Another poll from Quinnipiac University this month showed that 6% of Trump voters would be less likely to support him if he was convicted, which could be significant in a tight race.
What Happens to Trump Now?
Trump has been free on bail throughout the trial and was released on his own recognizance after the verdict was read on Thursday. He is scheduled to return to court on July 11 for a sentencing hearing. However, Trump has requested a different date, as this coincides with the start of the Republican National Convention.
The sentence could range from a fine, probation, or supervision, to possible prison time. Trump called the ruling a “disgrace” and announced plans to appeal the verdict, a process that could take months or even longer. Todd Blanche, Trump’s attorney, told CNN that the legal team would “vigorously fight” the verdict with motions in the coming weeks and would appeal if those motions fail.
What Would Be the Grounds for Appeal?
The defense team may base their appeal on several factors. One key element is the testimony of adult film star Stormy Daniels, whose alleged sexual encounter with Trump was central to the case.
Anna Cominsky, a professor at New York Law School, suggested that the level of detail in Daniels’ testimony might be considered irrelevant and prejudicial, providing a potential basis for appeal.
Additionally, the unique legal strategy employed by the District Attorney, which involved upgrading the charges to felonies based on an alleged attempt to influence the 2016 election, could also be contested.
Prosecutors broadly alleged violations of federal and state election laws and tax fraud but did not specify which laws were broken to the jury. Legal experts question whether the Manhattan District Attorney had the jurisdiction to invoke an uncharged federal crime, which could form another basis for appeal.
Can Trump Go to Prison?
While it is possible, it is highly unlikely that Trump will serve time behind bars. The 34 charges he faced are all class E felonies in New York, each carrying a maximum sentence of four years. Justice Merchan could choose a lesser punishment considering Trump’s age, lack of previous convictions, and the non-violent nature of the crime.
Additionally, the practical challenges of imprisoning a former president, who is entitled to lifelong Secret Service protection, make it unlikely that Trump will be incarcerated.
Can He Vote?
Trump is likely to be able to vote in the upcoming election. Under Florida law, where Trump is a resident, a person with a felony conviction from another state can vote unless the conviction would make them ineligible to vote in the state where they were convicted.
In New York, felons are allowed to vote as long as they are not currently incarcerated. Thus, unless Trump is imprisoned on November 5, he should be eligible to cast his ballot.
Could He Pardon Himself?
No, Trump cannot pardon himself for this conviction. Presidential pardon powers apply only to federal offenses, and the hush-money case in New York is a state matter. This limitation also applies to Trump’s case in Georgia, where he is accused of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election defeat.
Regarding Trump’s two federal cases, constitutional scholars are divided on whether a president can pardon himself. These cases—one concerning the alleged mishandling of classified documents and the other on conspiring to overturn the 2020 election—are unlikely to proceed before the November election. If Trump were to become president again, he could test the boundaries of this pardon power.