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Washington, DC – The recent conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records is carving its place in history as an unparalleled legal event. Trump has now become the first former US president to face a criminal conviction and will also be the first major party candidate to run for president as a felon. This conviction, stemming from hush-money payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, has far-reaching implications on multiple fronts—the legal, political, and social.
What Happened in the Courtroom?
After two grueling days of deliberation, a New York jury reached a unanimous verdict, finding Trump guilty of all charges. The case revolved around falsifying business records to obscure other alleged crimes, a conviction that carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison for each count. Legal experts, however, suggest that Trump is more likely to face probation or a lesser penalty given the non-violent nature of the crime and his age.
Trump’s release on his own recognizance indicates that, for now, he remains free as the legal wheels continue to turn. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, though Trump’s legal team is appealing for a date change. Trump has already announced plans to contest the verdict, something that could drag the legal proceedings on for months, if not longer.
The Grounds for Appeal
Trump’s defense is expected to vigorously fight the guilty verdict on several grounds. According to Anna Cominsky, a professor at New York Law School, the level of detail provided by Stormy Daniels might be seen as overly prejudicial and irrelevant to the case’s core issues. “On the one hand, her detail makes her credible, and as a prosecutor, you want to provide enough detail so the jury believes what she has to say. On the other hand, there’s a line, where it could become irrelevant and prejudicial,” said Cominsky.
Aside from the witness testimony, the novel legal interpretations in this case also provide ample fodder for appeal. The prosecution elevated the misdemeanor charge of falsifying business records to a felony, alleging a secondary crime—supposed violations of federal and state election laws and tax fraud. However, specific violations were not outlined for the jury, leaving the scope and application of the charges open to challenge.
Can a Convicted Felon Run for the U.S. Presidency?
Yes, remarkably, the U.S. Constitution provides relatively few restrictions for presidential candidates. The requirements are simple: being at least 35 years old, being a “natural-born” U.S. citizen, and having lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. There are no stipulations about criminal records, meaning Trump’s felony conviction does not legally disqualify him from running in 2024.
What happens next in the political arena carries enormous weight. A Bloomberg and Morning Consult poll showed that 53% of voters in key swing states would refuse to support Trump if convicted, while 6% of his own supporters indicated they would be less likely to vote for him, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.
Public Reaction and Trump’s Response
In his first public statement post-conviction, Trump vehemently criticized the trial’s proceedings, calling it “a sham and a disgrace.” “If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone,” Trump said, further alleging political motives behind the trial. Trump’s legal team also plans to challenge the judge’s rulings and various procedural matters they claim were unfair.
However, his fundraising efforts have seen a surge following the conviction, with his campaign raising $34.8 million from small donors immediately post-verdict, demonstrating his enduring influence among a substantial segment of the electorate.
Legal and Political Ramifications
While Trump’s legal team believes an appeal might prevent him from ever seeing the inside of a jail cell, the ramifications of this conviction stretch beyond his immediate future. Should Trump win the presidential election, he would likely face an unprecedented array of challenges operating under the constant scrutiny and legal ramifications following a felony conviction.
Republican figures such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Susan Collins criticized the trial’s political undertones. Still, Democrats argue that the rule of law must prevail, as emphasized by President Joe Biden’s administration.
Justin Paperny, director of the prison consulting firm White Collar Advice, noted the complications of imprisoning a former president. “Prison systems care about two things: security of the institution and keeping costs down,” he said. “With Trump, it would be a freak show… no warden would allow it.”
Can Trump Vote?
An intriguing aspect of Trump’s conviction is whether he can still vote. Florida law stipulates that individuals with felony convictions from other states are only ineligible to vote if their conviction disqualifies them from voting in the state where they were convicted. Since New York allows felons to vote unless incarcerated, Trump should retain his voting rights unless he is behind bars on Election Day.
Could Trump Pardon Himself?
If Trump were to win the presidential election, he would face significant limits on the scope of his pardoning power. Presidential pardon powers do not extend to state crimes, meaning Trump can’t pardon himself for the New York conviction. Other federal cases might theoretically be pardoned, but the legal consensus remains divided on whether a president can pardon himself.
Information Box:
Background:
– Trump faced a historical verdict of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records over hush-money payments.
– This trial marked the first time a former US president has been criminally convicted.
Eligibility for Presidency:
– Trump still meets the minimum eligibility requirements as per the U.S. Constitution: being at least 35, being a natural-born U.S. citizen, and having lived in the U.S. for 14 years.
– No law prevents a candidate with a criminal record from running for president.
Public Opinion:
– Polls suggest a significant portion of voters in key swing states may refuse to vote for Trump if he is convicted.
Appeals Process:
– Trump’s legal team plans to appeal on various grounds, including the scope of witness testimonies and legal interpretations regarding the charges.
Voting Rights:
– Trump is likely to retain his voting rights in Florida unless he is incarcerated on Election Day, as New York law allows felons to vote as long as they are not currently incarcerated.
Potential Pardon:
– Trump cannot pardon himself for the state crimes in New York but remains legally ambiguous about any federal cases.
Overall, Trump’s conviction has set off a cascade of legal and political events that will shape the coming months and possibly the 2024 presidential race’s outcome. The upcoming appeals and legal maneuvers will be closely watched as Trump navigates this complex landscape.
Reference 1: BBC: Can Trump run for president as a convicted felon?
Reference 2: NPR: Legal experts say Trump’s conviction is unlikely to lead to a prison sentence
Reference 3: Epoch Times: Trump Speaks Out After Conviction, Vows to Appeal