Donald Trump Convicted on All 34 Counts in Hush Money Trial, Can Still Run for President
Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts in his New York criminal hush money trial, marking the first time in US history that a former president has been convicted. The jury deliberated for two days before reaching their verdict. Sentencing is set for July 11, and New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has allowed Trump to remain free without bail until then.
The case revolved around allegations that Trump falsified business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors argued that Trump falsified these records to unlawfully interfere with the election.
The six-week trial saw Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, defending himself against these charges. His conviction adds another layer of complexity to his 2024 presidential campaign.
Speaking to the media after the jury began deliberations, Trump said, “Mother Teresa could not beat these charges. These charges are rigged. The whole country’s a mess between the borders and fake elections, and you have a trial like this where the judge is so conflicted he can’t breathe. It’s a disgrace.”
Strategists quoted by The Hill suggested that Trump benefits from framing the case as biased against him, which could lower expectations in the event of a conviction or allow him to claim victory against a “rigged system” if acquitted.
Despite the conviction, Trump can still run for president. Legal experts like Ilya Somin, a professor of law at George Mason University, confirmed that neither a conviction nor imprisonment prevents someone from running for or being elected president. However, serving as president while in prison would pose significant challenges.
Richard L. Hasen, a law professor at the University of California Los Angeles, noted that the US Constitution imposes very few requirements for presidential candidates, such as being at least 35 years old. It does not disqualify those who are indicted, convicted, or even serving jail time. Nonetheless, the practicalities of a president serving from prison remain untested.
Hasen also mentioned that if reelected, Trump could potentially pardon himself, though this legal question is also untested and might require a decision from the Supreme Court.
As Trump navigates his legal battles and prepares for sentencing, the impact on his 2024 presidential campaign remains uncertain. However, he remains legally eligible to run for office despite his historic conviction.
