In a stunning and unprecedented ruling, Donald Trump has become the first U.S. president convicted of a felony. This historic verdict, finding him guilty on all counts of falsifying business records, sends shockwaves through the political landscape and raises profound questions about the future of his 2024 campaign.
Trump Convicted of Felony
Donald J. Trump has become the first U.S. president convicted of a felony. A Manhattan jury found him guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment before the 2016 election.
Historic Candidacy Amid Conviction
Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, is now running for office as a felon. This unprecedented situation adds a new layer of complexity to the upcoming election.
Potential Punishment for Trump
Judge Juan Merchan has scheduled Trump’s sentencing for July 11. The former president could face up to 136 years in prison, though New York state caps such sentences at 20 years.
Sentencing Possibilities
If sentenced to prison, the judge must decide if Trump’s sentences will run concurrently or consecutively. However, legal experts suggest that Trump might avoid jail time due to his nonviolent felony charges and lack of a criminal record.
Alternative Punishments
Merchan could impose probation instead of prison time. This would require Trump to report regularly to the New York City Department of Probation, complicating his campaign schedule.
Financial Penalties
Trump’s conviction includes fines of up to $5,000 per count. This could total $170,000 if Judge Merchan opts for financial penalties.
Conditional Discharge
Another possibility is a conditional discharge, allowing Trump to remain free without probation supervision. This would hold as long as he avoids further legal trouble.
Running for President as a Felon
A felony conviction doesn’t disqualify Trump from running for president. Under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the basic requirements for presidential candidacy remain unaffected.
Limits of Presidential Pardon
Trump cannot pardon himself for state crimes, including the Manhattan hush money case and the Georgia election interference case. Only the New York governor could issue a pardon, which is unlikely.
Voting Rights Implications
Trump, registered to vote in Florida, faces restrictions due to his felony conviction. Florida honors New York’s laws, which prevent imprisoned felons from voting, but allow it once they are released.
Trump Likely to Vote for Himself
Unless Trump is imprisoned by Election Day, he will probably be able to vote for himself. This scenario is unlikely, allowing Trump to maintain his voting rights.
Trump Plans to Appeal Convictions
Trump’s legal team intends to appeal the guilty verdicts. They plan to file the appeal shortly after sentencing, with a 30-day window to file a notice and six months to submit the full appeal.
Appeal Strategy and Timeline
Attorney Will Scharf indicated that the team is exploring all options for appeal, citing numerous reversible errors. They aim for an expedited review, which could delay the sentencing process.
Potential Impact of Appeals
A stay in Trump’s sentence during the appeals process could extend beyond Election Day. Judge Merchan’s decision on this matter remains critical.
Gag Order Details
Judge Merchan issued a gag order restricting Trump from discussing trial participants. The order does not prevent comments about Judge Merchan or DA Alvin Bragg, but bars mention of their family members.
Gag Order Violations
Trump violated the gag order ten times, resulting in $10,000 in fines. The timing for lifting the gag order is yet to be determined.
Other Legal Challenges
Trump faces three additional criminal cases, unlikely to reach trial before Election Day. These cases include charges in Georgia, federal election interference, and mishandling classified documents.
Georgia Election Interference
Trump and 18 allies are charged with attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. The case is in the appeals process, with no trial date set.
Federal Election Interference
Special prosecutor Jack Smith charged Trump with efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. This case is on hold pending a Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity.
Classified Documents Case
Trump faces charges for allegedly mishandling classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. The trial is indefinitely postponed due to ongoing legal issues.
