Potential Consequences of President-elect Donald Trump’s Felony Conviction

Can Trump still vote?

President-elect Donald Trump is registered to vote in Florida, and he will be able to vote there. Florida bars people convicted of felonies from voting, but restores their right to vote after they have completed their sentence. People convicted of murder or a sex offense lose their right to vote permanently unless their rights are restored by a clemency board. For people convicted of felonies in other states, like Trump, Florida only makes a person ineligible to vote if they lost their voting rights in the state where they were convicted.

Can Trump own a gun?

No. Under federal law, people convicted of felonies are not allowed to possess firearms.

Does Trump have to give a DNA sample?

By law, every person convicted of a felony in New York must provide a DNA sample for the state’s crime databank. The samples are collected after sentencing, typically when a defendant reports to probation, jail, or prison. The process is non-invasive and involves a swab along the inside of the cheek. The DNA samples are analyzed to create a profile that is then entered into the databank.

Can Trump hold office with a felony conviction?

There is nothing in federal law that prevents a person from becoming president because they have been convicted of a crime. State laws vary on whether a person with a criminal record can run for state and local offices. Some require a pardon or expungement to run for office, but there are no such limits to run for federal office.

Can Trump travel outside the U.S.?

Yes. As president, Trump will have a diplomatic passport enabling him to travel to foreign countries for official business and can also keep a regular, or tourist passport. People sentenced to incarceration or probation can have their passports denied or revoked, but that isn’t the case with Trump. Some countries restrict or reserve the right to prohibit visits from people with felony convictions.

Will this take away business opportunities?

Trump’s felony conviction could bar him from holding liquor licenses, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his golf courses and hotels will have to stop serving booze. In New Jersey, for example, where Trump owns three golf courses, state law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime “involving moral turpitude” from holding a liquor license. Trump’s company has said his properties are all owned through corporate entities, and that he is not officer or director of any entity that holds any liquor licenses.

Can Trump get a pardon?

Only New York’s governor has the power to pardon Trump for this conviction. Trump’s case was tried in state court and involved violations of state law. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. It seems unlikely that Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, would pardon Trump. Asked last month if she would consider pardoning Trump, she didn’t say yes or no, but noted that the pardon process requires several elements, including “remorse.”

Conclusion

While Trump’s felony conviction will have some consequences, it is unlikely to significantly impact his ability to hold office or travel. However, it is worth noting that Trump’s company has said his properties are owned through corporate entities, and that he is not officer or director of any entity that holds any liquor licenses.

FAQs

Q: Can Trump still vote in Florida?
A: Yes, Trump is registered to vote in Florida and will be able to vote there, but he may not be eligible to vote if he loses his voting rights in the state where he was convicted.

Q: Can Trump own a gun?
A: No, under federal law, people convicted of felonies are not allowed to possess firearms.

Q: Does Trump have to give a DNA sample?
A: Yes, every person convicted of a felony in New York must provide a DNA sample for the state’s crime databank.

Q: Can Trump hold office with a felony conviction?
A: Yes, there is nothing in federal law that prevents a person from becoming president because they have been convicted of a crime.