In a groundbreaking development, former US President Donald Trump, a Republican candidate in the upcoming presidential election, has been found guilty in the first criminal trial of a former US president in the nation’s history. This unprecedented verdict has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, just five months before Election Day in November.
Trump’s guilty verdict has placed him in an atypical situation, as he remains a leading candidate in the presidential race despite his felony conviction. This unprecedented scenario underscores the complex interplay between criminal justice and politics in the United States.
The guilty verdict stems from charges of falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments made to a porn actress during the 2016 election. According to the US Constitution, individuals convicted of felonies are not barred from running for president as long as they meet the age and citizenship requirements.
Even if Trump were to be sentenced to prison before the election, he would still be able to continue his campaign. However, opinion polls conducted by Reuters in April suggest that the conviction could cost Trump votes in the upcoming election.
The complexities of voting rights for convicted felons vary by state. In Florida, where Trump resides, individuals with felony convictions have their voting rights restored upon completion of their sentences. This means that Trump would be eligible to vote for himself in the November election as long as he remains out of prison in New York.
It is important to note that the president’s pardon power applies only to federal crimes, not state charges. Therefore, even if Trump were to be elected president again, he would not be able to pardon himself of the state charges in New York.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Trump’s felony conviction will impact his ability to garner votes and potentially secure the presidency. The verdict has certainly injected a new element of uncertainty into the 2023 presidential race.
