Trump’s Conviction Breaks New Legal Ground As He Continues Presidential Campaign

The criminal conviction of Donald Trump on Thursday in New York is raising questions about how it will affect the presidential election on Nov. 5.

Nothing in the Constitution would prevent him from getting reelected, despite guilty verdicts on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to two women who say he had sex with them.

In addition, his supporters are reaffirming their backing for him as he prepares for the Republican National Convention.

Judge Juan Merchan set Trump’s sentencing for July 11, only days before the Republican National Committee’s convention July 15 in Milwaukee. Trump is the leading candidate to be chosen as the 2024 GOP nominee for president at the convention.

Recent surveys show two-thirds of his supporters say a criminal conviction would not dissuade them from voting for Trump. Only seven percent said they would be less likely to vote for him.

His supporters say Trump continues to be the best hope to stop illegal immigration and to improve the economy.

“The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people,” Trump said as he spoke with the media outside the courtroom Thursday afternoon.

Trump was released on his own recognizance but a lingering question is whether he will retain his freedom after the July 11 sentencing.

Legal analysts say the judge is unlikely to imprison Trump because he has no criminal record and he was convicted only of nonviolent felonies. Even if he avoids jail, he is less likely to avoid probation.

Probation would mean Trump must report to the New York City Department of Probation in person on a regular basis, which would create a major obstacle to his reelection campaign.

A third possibility would be for the judge to grant Trump a conditional discharge. It means Trump could remain free with no probationary supervision as long as he breaks no other laws.

Trump’s legal team already is signaling they plan to appeal. If so, it means the judge could stay Trump’s sentence until the appeals process is completed, possibly after Election Day.

The White House counsel’s office issued a statement after the verdict saying, “We respect the rule of law, and have no additional comment.”

For more information, contact The Legal Forum (www.legal-forum.net) at email: [email protected] or phone: 202-479-7240.