Donald J. Trump became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a felony offense. In a historic decision, a 12-person Manhattan jury found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records, in an effort to disguise a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, before the 2016 election. Mr. Trump faces up to 4 years in prison on each count, or the possibility of probation, or a financial sanction/fine, when he is sentenced on July 11, 2024. In the interim, his conviction raises several important questions. First, can he still run and serve as president as a convicted felon? Yes, he can, because Article II of the U.S. Constitution does not disqualify a felon from holding public office. Second, could Mr. Trump pardon himself if he’s elected president? No, he cannot pardon himself because the powers of presidential pardon do not extend to state law crimes. Finally, can Mr. Trump still vote in the upcoming presidential election? Generally speaking, felons cannot vote until they have fully completed their sentence, whether imprisonment or a term of probation. However, Mr. Trump is a registered voter in Florida, which honors the voting laws of the state where the felony conviction occurred. In this case, New York law only prohibits felons from voting while they are incarcerated. As a result, if Mr. Trump is incarcerated on election day, he will not be able to vote in the presidential election. i
Why Does Trump Face Felony Charges in Hush Money Trial?
Former President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts in his Manhattan hush money trial. Mr. Trump is charged under New York law, with falsifying business records stemming from accusations that he covered up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star, Stormy Daniels,...
