What Trump's Felony Conviction Could Mean for His Rights and Future

https://icaro.icaromediagroup.com/system/images/photos/16238629/original/open-uri20240601-18-e7ru6w?1717270789
ICARO Media Group
Politics
01/06/2024 19h26

In a historic turn of events, former President Donald Trump has become the first ex-president, and potentially a future one, to be convicted as a felon in the United States. Legal experts are now examining the potential implications of this verdict and what it could mean for Trump's rights and future endeavors.

One of the most significant questions raised is how this conviction might affect Trump's eligibility to run for president again in the future. As long as he meets the requirements of being over 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years, Trump remains eligible to run. Past examples, such as the case of Socialist Party candidate Eugene V. Debs in 1920, who garnered 3.4% of the popular vote while being imprisoned, demonstrate that convicted felons can still run for president.

Regarding voting rights, the situation differs between the states in which Trump is registered. In Florida, felons are prohibited from voting until their sentence is completed. However, in New York, where Trump is also registered, felons can vote as long as they are not currently incarcerated. Therefore, Trump will be able to maintain his voting rights in New York unless he is imprisoned.

In terms of gun ownership, federal law and New York state law prohibit those convicted of felonies from possessing firearms. Trump, who had previously owned several guns and held a concealed-carry permit, might have the opportunity to seek the restoration of his gun ownership rights due to the nature of his conviction being non-violent and at a lower level, according to legal expert Cheryl Bader.

Concerning travel, it is unlikely that travel restrictions will be imposed on Trump unless there is a fear that he might attempt to flee. While certain countries, including Canada, China, and the U.K., have entry bans for individuals convicted of crimes, the enforcement of these rules can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the crime. Governments of these countries may have discretion to waive the prohibition, as stated by Betsy Ginsberg, a professor at Cardozo Law.

As the legal implications of Trump's felony conviction continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how this verdict will impact his rights and future endeavors. Whether it be running for office again, voting, or possessing firearms, Trump's status as a convicted felon could have both immediate and long-term consequences for the former president.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

Related