Donald Trump has been found guilty of using a criminal hush-money scheme to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.

The verdict came after a jury deliberated for less than twelve hours in the unprecedented first criminal trial against a US president. It marks a perilous political moment for Trump, the presumptive nominee for the Republican nomination, whose poll numbers have remained unchanged throughout the trial but could tank at any moment.

    • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
      92·
      5 months ago

      Convicted felons can run for office. They just can’t vote in the election.

      I desperately want him to lose Florida by one vote. His own.

      • credo@lemmy.world
        40·
        5 months ago

        Florida says he can vote based on the conviction being in NY, and in NY he can vote unless he’s incarcerated.

        • CptEnder@lemmy.world
          331·
          5 months ago

          Which is how it should be in Florida, and everywhere. People shouldn’t continue to be punished after serving their time.

          • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
            271·
            5 months ago

            They should be able to vote in jail too. Otherwise an authoritarian could just lock up their political opponents, especially in swing states.

        • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
          11·
          5 months ago

          Ah. Bummer. I believe he can only vote in his home state of Florida, but it makes sense that the NY conviction doesn’t restrict his rights in another state. Thanks for the correction.

          • credo@lemmy.world
            13·
            5 months ago

            Here is a better worded article snip from wapo:

            Under Florida law, those convicted of crimes in other states cannot vote if they are barred from voting in the state where they committed their offenses, according to the U.S. Vote Foundation. New York law bars felons from voting while they are incarcerated but not when they are on probation or parole, according to the foundation and Loyola Law School professor Justin Levitt. Trump has not been sentenced yet and could remain free while he appeals his convictions. That means Trump will probably be allowed to cast a ballot as long as he is not behind bars this fall.

        • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
          2·
          5 months ago

          If he’s convicted of aiding in the insurrection, it would be up to SCOTUS to determine eligibility for reelection based on the treason clause of the Constitution. I wouldn’t hold my breath with that bunch.

    • Delusional@lemmy.world
      9·
      5 months ago

      Yup you just have to go on TV, act like an asshole constantly, and gain a cult like following from the dumbest Americans imaginable.

    • platypus_plumba@lemmy.world
      6·
      5 months ago

      Could someone explain how it’s possible for him to be running for president?

      Like, are there no laws against this? Is the only requirement for the person to have a pulse?

      • VindictiveJudge@lemmy.worldEnglish
        15·
        5 months ago

        If felonies prevented people from holding government positions just imagine how many bogus charges would be leveled at the GOP’s enemies just to see if anything stuck. Just look at how Russia throws bogus charges at people to prevent them from running against Putin.

      • SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world
        10·
        5 months ago

        The U.S. Constitution states that the president must:

        • Be a natural-born citizen of the United States.
        • Be at least 35 years old.
        • Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.
        • FanciestPants@lemmy.world
          5·
          5 months ago

          It’s kind of like the scene “there ain’t no rule a dog can’t play basketball” from Air Bud. The constitution has set minimum qualifications to be president, but didn’t bother with the disqualifications because it would be insane to try to conceive of every possible scenario that would disqualify an individual from seeking the presidency.

      • Subverb@lemmy.world
        2·
        5 months ago

        There are no laws against it, no.

        In fact he can be president and in prison at the same time, but he won’t get prison time.

      • liminalcharlie@lemm.ee
        22·
        5 months ago

        The Constitution does not say anything about a criminal record, so, that’s why. But, be real. If all the politicians had their skeletons out on display, literally none of them would be without a criminal record.