Donald Trump’s sentencing in his New York criminal case marks a historic moment as he will be the first U.S. president to begin his term with a felony conviction. Judge Juan Merchan delivered a sentence of “unconditional discharge,” officially recording a judgment of guilt on Trump’s record just before his scheduled inauguration on Jan. 20. While Trump will not face imprisonment or other penalties for the conviction, it is noted that the jury’s verdict will remain unless overturned. The potential impact on some of Trump’s rights remains a possibility post-conviction. Following the sentencing, Trump has a 30-day window to file a notice of appeal, a legal process that could span years, running alongside his presidential term.
Regarding key questions about Trump’s future rights and privileges:
Voting Rights:
Trump, a registered voter in Florida, retains his voting rights according to Florida law, which restores voting rights to convicted felons upon completion of their sentence. As Trump’s conviction was in New York and he is not serving prison time, he maintains his right to vote.
Eligibility for Holding Office:
The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly bar candidates with a criminal record from running for president, setting only age, citizenship, and residency requirements. Trump remains eligible to hold office despite his felony conviction.
Pardoning Ability:
As Trump’s conviction stems from a state court and pertains to state law, only New York Governor Kathy Hochul has the authority to pardon him. Hochul has indicated that the lengthy state pardoning process, which includes demonstrating remorse, may not result in a pardon for Trump.
Ownership of Firearms:
Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Trump’s aspiration to purchase a gun in a previous incident would be legally restricted due to his felony conviction.
In summary, Trump’s conviction brings unique legal considerations for his future, including voting rights, eligibility for holding office, potential pardoning, and firearm ownership restrictions.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a renowned news reporter for USA TODAY who made significant contributions to the reporting of this story. He can be contacted via email at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and followed on X @fern_cerv_.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Can Donald Trump vote after a felony conviction? Can he pardon himself?
