As of May 30 2024, former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the hush money trial that has been ongoing for the past several months.
Trump was first indicted in March 2023 on state charges related to a hush-money payment to a adult-film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. Now that he has been found guilty the world begs to know, “Can he still run for president?”
The Reading of the Verdict
Trump faced the jury as they read of 34 guilty verdicts for each and every count of falsified business records presented in the case. Of course, the former president claims the entire case was “rigged” to make him guilty.
The key piece of evidence involved in the trial was a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s then-personal attorney Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels in 2016.
Guilty All Around
The verdict took less than 12 hours to be delivered by the jury. The trial is completely unprecedented, as it is the first of its kind against a U.S. president, let alone one that is currently running.
The ruling marks a disastrous moment for his political campaign, as he is currently the leading Republican candidate for the looming 2024 election.
Trump Claims to be a “Political Prisoner”
Following the reading of the verdict Trump claimed that he is a “political prisoner”. He also stated the following: “They’ve raided my home, arrested me, took my mugshot, AND NOW THEY’VE JUST CONVICTED ME!”
Despite the guilty verdict he preached to his followers that he would win back the White House: “With your support at this moment in history, WE WILL WIN BACK THE WHITE HOUSE AND MAKE AMERICAN GREAT AGAIN”.
What Does This Mean for Trump’s Political Campaign?
According to law professor Richard L. Hasen, who specializes in election law, Trump cans till run for president despite being convicted as a felon.
He explains, “The Constitution has very few requirements to serve as President, such as being at least 35 years of age. It does not bar anyone indicted, or convicted, or even serving jail time, from running as president and winning the presidency”.
Could He Run His Campaign From Prison?
Whether or not the former President could run from prison is another question entirely. In response to this, Hasen stated, “How someone would serve as president from prison is a happily unanswered question”.
Hasen goes on to explain that many of the questions that people want answered are largely untested. This is an unprecedented case and the first time in history that a U.S. President has been convicted of a felony. Now, the public wonders if he can grant himself a pardon and dismiss himself.
Could Trump Pardon Himself?
As the November election looms, the question at hand is whether Trump can still run and if he can, does he hold the power to pardon himself as President of the United States?
The law expert has this to say: “Whether he can do so is untested. The Supreme Court may have to weigh in”. What Trump can do is appeal the conviction, which his legal team is likely to do soon enough.
The Speedy Trial
A speedy trial would have worked in Trump’s favor. According to more law experts, if the trial was still ongoing and he was elected President, he could have dismissed the case since he would have control of the Justice Department.
Now that he has been convicted, Trump will be ineligible to vote in his “home state” of Florida until the sentence is served.
Pandemonium at the Court House
Pandemonium erupted at the court house following the verdict. Reporters and protesters gathered outside the court house both rejoicing and recoiling.
Some people celebrated with signs while others were shocked, fearful, and angry. Helicopters swirled above capturing the entire scene.
An Unprecedented Moment in History
The guilty verdict in this case marks an unprecedented moment in history. Considering the 2024 election is only months away, the public is confused and interested to see what this means for Trump’s presidential campaign.
Trump continues to maintain that Biden’s administration is responsible for his guilty verdict and refuses to back down from the political fight.
