Donald Trump has made history in many ways, but his latest milestone is something no other president-elect has experienced. Just ten days before his inauguration, Trump became the first U.S. president-elect with a felony conviction. This happened because of his conviction in a New York hush-money case, where he was found guilty of falsifying business records. Although the judge sentenced him to an “unconditional discharge” — meaning no jail time, fines, or community service — the felony conviction still comes with consequences. Let’s take a closer look at how this could affect him.
Will Trump Lose His Right to Vote?
No, Trump can still vote. He is registered in Florida, where the rules allow people convicted of felonies in other states to vote, provided they didn’t lose their voting rights in the state of conviction. In New York, voting rights are restored after someone is released from jail. Since Trump wasn’t sentenced to jail time, his voting rights remain intact. This means Trump can still participate in elections, a right some felons in other states might lose.
Can He Still Own a Gun?
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Under federal law, anyone convicted of a felony is not allowed to own or possess a gun. This restriction applies to Trump, just as it does to any other convicted felon. While Trump’s role as president doesn’t require him to personally carry a firearm, this is still a significant loss of a constitutional right.
What Happens with DNA Samples?
In New York, everyone convicted of a felony must provide a DNA sample for the state’s crime database. This involves a quick cheek swab. The sample is analyzed, and the genetic profile is stored in a system connected to the FBI’s national database. These DNA profiles are used to help solve crimes, even years after they occur. Trump’s DNA will now be part of this system, alongside over 720,000 other profiles.
Can a Felon Be President?
Yes, Trump can still be president. The U.S. Constitution doesn’t disqualify someone with a felony conviction from running for or holding the office of president. This may surprise many people, but the founders believed the decision should be left to voters. Some state and local offices have rules requiring felons to receive pardons or expungements before running, but federal positions, like the presidency, have no such restrictions.
Will He Face Travel Restrictions?
As president, Trump will have a diplomatic passport that allows him to travel abroad for official duties. However, personal travel may be more complicated. Countries like Canada, Israel, and the United Kingdom have strict rules about allowing people with felony convictions to enter. While Trump’s role as president might exempt him from some restrictions, his conviction could still create challenges for non-official trips.
How Will This Affect His Businesses?
Trump’s conviction could impact some of his business opportunities. For instance, in states like New Jersey, people convicted of crimes involving “moral turpitude” are prohibited from holding liquor licenses. However, Trump’s company has said his businesses are owned through corporations, so these rules may not affect them directly. His conviction could also prevent him from reentering the casino business, where gaming licenses are often off-limits to those with criminal records. But Trump sold his Atlantic City casinos years ago, so this is unlikely to be a major issue.
Could He Be Pardoned?
Only New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, has the power to pardon Trump for this conviction. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes, and Trump’s case involved state law. When asked about a possible pardon, Hochul said, “No one gets extra favors, no one gets treated worse.” She also mentioned that showing remorse is an important part of the pardon process. However, Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong, calling the case a “hoax.” Without remorse, a pardon seems unlikely.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
