Former United States President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in a criminal hush-money scheme intended to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. The verdict came after a jury deliberated for less than 12 hours, marking an unprecedented moment in American history as it was the first criminal trial against a sitting or former U.S. president.
Swift Verdict Amid Political Turbulence
The guilty verdict arrived at a critical time for Trump, the presumptive nominee for the Republican presidential ticket in 2024. Despite his stable poll numbers throughout the trial, the conviction raises the potential for significant political fallout.
“This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt,” Trump declared at the court, reacting angrily to the verdict. “This was a rigged trial, a disgrace.”
Now, as the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime, Trump faces the possibility of a prison sentence or probation for his involvement in the hush-money payment scheme that he helped facilitate before the 2016 election.
Trump’s Political Career: A Controversial Journey
Donald Trump’s political career began in June 2015 when he announced his candidacy for President as a Republican. Running on a platform of populism, nationalism, and anti-establishment rhetoric, he won the Republican nomination and defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, becoming the 45th President of the United States.
Trump’s presidency (2017-2021) was marked by significant policy shifts, including tax cuts, deregulation, and the appointment of three Supreme Court justices. However, his administration was also mired in controversy and division over issues such as immigration policies, trade wars, and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also read: Trump Found Guilty in High-Profile Hush Money Trial: Key Events and Timeline
After losing the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden, Trump refused to concede, alleging widespread voter fraud without substantial evidence. This refusal culminated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, leading to his second impeachment by the House of Representatives. He was acquitted by the Senate both times. Post-presidency, Trump has remained a polarising figure in American politics, hinting at a potential 2024 presidential run and actively engaging in GOP politics through endorsements and rallies.
What This Conviction Means for Trump’s Presidential Ambitions
Can Trump Still Be on the Presidential Ballot?
Legally, yes. University of California, Los Angeles law professor Richard L. Hasen, a leading expert on election law, has consistently stated that nothing in the U.S. Constitution bars a convicted person from running for the presidency.
“Legally, nothing changes with Trump’s status as a candidate,” Hasen wrote in his Election Law Blog. “The Constitution contains only limited qualifications for running for office: being at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and at least 14 years a resident of the U.S.”
Will the Conviction Cost Trump His Right to Vote?
As a Florida resident, Trump is subject to the state’s stringent rules that disenfranchise individuals with felony convictions. However, he might benefit from New York’s 2021 legislation that makes it easier for felons to regain their right to vote.
Trump’s ability to vote in Florida’s upcoming November election will depend on whether he receives a prison sentence and if he has completed serving that sentence by the time of the election. Florida requires felons to complete their entire sentence, including supervised release, and pay any associated fines and fees before regaining their voting rights. This requirement faced litigation after Florida’s Republican-led legislature passed a law undermining a state constitutional amendment allowing people with felony convictions to regain their voting rights.
Florida defers to the laws of the state where the felony conviction occurred regarding the restoration of voting rights. In New York, thanks to a 2021 law, individuals with felony convictions regain their right to vote once they finish their term of incarceration, even if they are still on parole. Therefore, Trump would only lose his right to vote in Florida if he is incarcerated at the time of the election.
The Road Ahead: Appeals and Legal Battles
Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, announced during an appearance on CNN that they would appeal the verdict “as soon as we can.” The appellate process could take months, even years, to play out, meaning it could be a while before any sentence takes effect.
