New York: US President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced to an “unconditional discharge” in the Hush Money case. Last year, Trump was convicted on 34 charges of business fraud in connection with hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
“Unconditional discharge” means, the US President-elect does not have to go to jail or need not pay any fine or probation. However, he will remain convicted. Trump will enter the White House as a convicted felon. The development came 10 days ahead of Trump assuming charge as the next US President.
Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan termed it as an extraordinary case. As per Merchan, Trump would have received a stiffer sentence had he been a normal citizen but “extraordinary legal protections” provided by the President’s office saved Trump.
“It is the office of the president that bestows those far-reaching protections to the office holder, and it was the citizenry of this nation that recently decided that you should once again receive the benefits of those protections, which include, among other things, the Supremacy Clause and presidential immunity,” said Merchan as quoted by ABC News.
Can Trump Vote?
The US President-elect can voter. He is registered to vote in Florida. Notably, Florida bars people convicted of felonies from voting, but restores their voting right after they have completed their sentence. As per the law in Florida, if a person is convicted in another state, the Florida administration only makes that person ineligible to vote if they lost their voting rights in the state where they were convicted.
Can Trump Own A Gun?
As per federal law, a person convicted in any case is not allowed to own a gun.
Can Trump Get Pardon?
Only New York’s governor has the power to pardon Trump for this conviction as he was convicted in the same state. Notably, Trump case was tried in a New York court and was convicted of violation of state laws. Notably, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is a Democrat and it was almost impossible that he would pardon Trump.
Is Trump’s DNA Sample Required?
As per the New York law, every person convicted of a felony in the state have to provide a DNA sample for the state’s crime databank. Samples can also be taken by a court or police official.
It’s a noninvasive process involving a swab along the inside of the cheek. State police analyze the cells and genetic material, creating a profile that is then entered into the databank, reported The Associated Press.
Can Trump Hold An Office?
There is no federal law which bar a person from becoming the President. However, state laws in this regard vary.
Can He Travel Outside The US?
Yes. As president, Trump can travel outside the US with a diplomatic passport. He can also keep a regular or tourist passport. meanwhile, passport of a normal citizen sentenced to incarceration or probation can be denied or revoked.
Impact On Trump’s Business Opportunities:
Trump cannot hold liquor licenses, but his gold courses and hotels can continue serving alcohol. His conviction could also bar him from reentering the casino business.
Trump was convicted in May 2023 of falsifying records to conceal payments to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen, who reimbursed a USD 130,000 hush money payment made to Daniels for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 election. However, Trump has denied the affair.
(With inputs from agencies)
