
President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t have to go to jail, pay a fine or perform community service as a result of his New York hush money conviction. A Judge ended the case Friday with a sentence of an unconditional discharge, closing the case with no punishment.
But unless the conviction for falsifying business records is someday overturned, Trump will have felonies on his criminal record, which will affect some of his rights.
Here are some of the potential impacts and some things that won’t change:
Can he still vote?
Trump is registered to vote in Florida and he will be able to vote there.
Florida does 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. New York doesn’t let a person convicted of a felony vote while they are incarcerated, but restores voting rights once that person is released.
Can he own a gun?
No. Under federal law, people convicted of felonies are not allowed to possess firearms.
Does he 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.
Samples are collected after sentencing, typically when a defendant reports to probation, jail or prison. 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.
There, technology takes over, performing automatic searches and comparing profiles of people convicted of crimes with profiles of DNA collected at crime scenes. Matches can be used to identify a suspect in an unsolved crime.
New York’s databank contains profiles for more than 720,000 offenders and is connected to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System.
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. There are no such limits to run for federal office.
Can he 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, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Israel.
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.
But 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.
Trump’s conviction could also bar him from reentering the casino business, if he wanted, because people with criminal records are typically unable to obtain gaming licenses. Trump once owned three casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, but no longer does.
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.”
Trump says he did nothing wrong and has described the case against him as a “hoax” perpetrated by Democrats.
“No one will be treated any better, or any worse, by me when I make those life altering decisions as we’re looking at petitions that are coming in throughout the year,” Hochul said. “So, no one gets extra favors, no one gets treated worse.”
32 comments
DR
January 10, 2025 at 6:10 pm
It Stinks!
Andrew
January 10, 2025 at 10:01 pm
“Unconditional Discharge” —- Ya gotta love it. Yet another politically motivated attempt to keep Donald Trump out of the White House ends in a big fat ZERO !!!!!! The conviction will eventually be overturned as the “icing on the cake” and President Trump wins again. Even if it isn’t (not likely it won’t) it will be a big “who cares?” anyway. —— You can call me a felon forever as long as I get no jail, no fine, and no probation, and just go away free. Ah, the winning just keeps on rolling !!!!!!
Earl Pitts American
January 10, 2025 at 10:05 pm
I, Earl Pitts American, find this mockery of justice there for the DOOK FOR BRAINS RIGHTIES IN THE TIGHTIE WHITIES.
The LEFT had every right and should have thown the old fat man in JAIL!
Your Sage Patriot,
Earl Pitts American
Andrew Finn
January 11, 2025 at 12:39 pm
I revert back to another “sage” from a bygone era. Somewhere back in the 1970’s he said — “you lose buckwheat” !!!!!!!!!!!!
Earl Pitts American
January 11, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Thank you Andrew, but I, Earl Pitts American, find your knowledge of bygone era is lacking, as the phrase is from the Little Rascals (and it’s not attributed to a lone character sage), and it predates the 1970’s by several decades.
You are hereby CHASTIZED! Your FIRST FELON pledge pin is not to be worn on your uniform! You will report to the stables at 08:00 hours!
Your Sage Patriot,
Earl Pitts American
The "REAL-REAL" Earl Pitts American
January 12, 2025 at 5:44 am
Good Morn ‘Ting Sage Patriots and all of my Besty Leftys,
I know you are all very upset to have the “Fake Earl” in the 2 above postings above trying to cash in on my Sage Wisdom and On-Line-Influncer-Status by pretending to be me, The “REAL-REAL” Earl Pitts American,
HOWEVER:
I, The “REAL-REAL” Earl Pitts American, invite you, one and all, to Relax Your Political Sphincters, as it is just like when a kid has a fantisy to be a Super-Hero ….. the kid will pretend to actually be that Super-Hero.
Thank you my Bestest Fan, Fake Earl, as it is the highest form of flattery to have fans love me, The “REAL-REAL” Earl Pitts American, so very much that they pretend to actually be me …. I’m HONORED Little Feller ….. keep on pretending to be The “REAL-REAL” Earl Pitts American and one fine day you will wake up to be a Real Sage Patriot and make your Mom & Dad so proud.
Thanks Little Buckaroo,
The “REAL-REAL” Earl Pitts American
*dont worry, little buck-a-roo, The “REAL-REAL” Earl Pitts American, is not angry at you and you have my permission to pretend to be The “REAL-REAL” Earl Pitts American as much as you want.*
Paul Passarelli
January 10, 2025 at 10:22 pm
I cannot write what I’m thinking because it would get me banned.
Bill
January 12, 2025 at 9:50 am
Try to pretend you’re not a conservative and make cogent points in plain english and you’ll be fine. Maybe, if you stop with the childish insults, people might listen and who knows, we might even find common ground.
Coco
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Only the best breaking news!
January 11, 2025 at 1:29 am
After a thorough Grand Jury trial …… a follow-up trial, with a unanimous jury of twelve citizens found Donald Trump guilty of 34 felonies. Trump now is a proud member of America’s FIVE MILLION CONVICTED FELONS! The Republican Reagan Administration holds the record of over 150 indictments and convictions…….. let’s see if Trump can exceed that record! Trump does have a first term head start. After all, only the best people associate with this embarrassing narcissist scumbag president.
JD
January 11, 2025 at 7:13 am
First Felon US President.
How far we have fallen and yet people still endorse and follow him.
Rupert Murdock should be deported and his FCC licenses revoked.
Talk about military brainwashing for advertising dollar views.
How’s it feel to be the product BananaRepublicans?
Let us all know when Tr*mp’s billionaire posse makes you all rich, but untill then you’re just “displaced millionaires” down here with the rest of us plebs given your money to the true welfare queens.
The Cat In The MAGA Hat
January 11, 2025 at 8:11 am
He lost to.have his conviction overturned,he lost to have his Jan 6 report not be released,maybe if he did let his duck ruin his ,he would of not been convicted for covering up an affair with a porn star
Ocean Joe
January 11, 2025 at 8:20 am
Now that we have the DNA, we can find out who’s responsible for Jan 6.
I know, nobody cares, he got elected by 1.4 percent so now he has a ‘mandate’ to do a lot more stupid stuff. These laws are only for regular folks, not for the big shots.
PeterH
January 11, 2025 at 8:51 am
At the end of his current term Trump will still rank in the bottom five of American presidents. Take a look at his cabinet of losers.
Peachy
January 11, 2025 at 10:00 am
Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden would be 1A and 1B for the absolute worst.
JD
January 11, 2025 at 1:41 pm
Nope every presidental scholar ranks Trump in the bottom 5, for lacking morals and admin skills! HAHAHA
1.) Andrew Johnson (1865–1869): Assumed the presidency after Lincoln’s assassination; his opposition to Reconstruction policies and vetoes of civil rights legislation hindered efforts to integrate formerly enslaved individuals into American society.
2.) James Buchanan (1857–1861): His inaction during the secession crisis and failure to address escalating tensions over slavery are often cited as factors leading to the Civil War.
3.) Donald Trump (2017–2021): Scholars have critiqued his administration for perceived deficiencies in moral authority and administrative skills.
4.) Warren G. Harding (1921–1923): His presidency was marred by scandals, notably the Teapot Dome affair, reflecting poorly on his leadership and oversight.
5.) Franklin Pierce (1853–1857): His support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed territories to decide on slavery’s legality, intensified national divisions and propelled the country toward civil conflict.
If you like, I can show you were Carter and Biden rank…
Peachy
January 11, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Carter and Biden were one term. Trump got elected again. On his second term now. The people have spoken. Now go dig up your non functioning college liberal professors to tell us why a single term President is ranked higher than a two termer. Hilarious. Oh and hey David Hogg for DNC vice. 🤣
JD
January 11, 2025 at 6:45 pm
Trump’s 2024 win does not erase the catastrophic failures of his first term, including two impeachments, a botched pandemic response, an insurrection, and global embarrassment. Compare that to Biden, who passed historic bipartisan legislation, revitalized global alliances, and led one of the strongest job recoveries in decades, or Carter, whose post-presidency set a standard in humanitarian work. Trump’s accomplishments are division, chaos, and scandal. A second term does not rewrite that legacy; it cements it. Loser indeed.
Peachy
January 11, 2025 at 10:29 am
Speaking of losers, I present the people ruining the state of Kalifornia. An absolute travesty out there and an example of screwed up priorities and government mismanagement.
JD
January 11, 2025 at 10:43 am
The fatalities of the LA fires compared to Ian’s dead aren’t even a blip in the stats, so if you want to compare Republicans controlled travesties to Democrat controlled ones how about you start there. Or go back to the pandemic and Trumps refrigerator truck morgues.
Peachy
January 11, 2025 at 10:58 am
JD, You still one of those nuts walking around with a face diaper on? Somehow I think you are one of them. Do we bring up Cuomo or Newsom or Pelosi getting her hair done? Florida was much better off because our Republican Governor didn’t subscribe to the lunacy of that era. Where is Democrat Fauci? Remember the vaccine was going to prevent one from getting Covid. More BS.
JD
January 11, 2025 at 11:27 am
Ah, ‘Peachy,’ your selective memory is truly impressive. Are you still one of those people running around saying the 2020 election was stolen? While you praise Florida’s approach, you conveniently overlook that Florida’s COVID-19 death rate per capita was among the highest in the nation, surpassing many states that implemented stricter measures. Moreover, the state’s attempts to withhold COVID-19 data from the public, leading to legal battles and settlements, hardly exemplify transparency – something Florida Republicans are never known for. More Republican BS.
JD
January 11, 2025 at 11:30 am
Oh, and the new Tr*mp flags and t-shirts just came out but I am sure there will be more.
“Felon-in-chief”
“LETS GO FELON”
“FFDJT” (you can figure that one out)
and for his wife:
“First Felon Lady”
Peachy
January 11, 2025 at 11:42 am
JD, I’m watching the Demos throwing each under the bus right now with the complete mismanagement, handling, and priorities of LA County and Clownifornia itself on the fires out there. Clownifornia show indeed.
JD
January 11, 2025 at 11:56 am
This was meant for here: Please share where (not a link, just a station name or streaming service) so I can follow along. I’m having trouble in this “us vs them” world believing they are doing that. And I’m not finding any evidence of that.
So unless you have something other than some curated critism thats been conflated to look like Democrats throwing one other Democrats under the bus, I’m having a hard time believing you.
Cindy
January 11, 2025 at 10:30 am
Donald Trump has CIA guns and protections. But the stipulations are you can not be in the same room with a person and a weapon.
JD
January 11, 2025 at 11:56 am
Please share where (not a link, just a station name or streaming service) so I can follow along. I’m having trouble in this “us vs them” world believing they are doing that. And I’m not finding any evidence of that.
So unless you have something other than some curated critism thats been conflated to look like Democrats throwing one other Democrats under the bus, I’m having a hard time believing you.
Bill
January 12, 2025 at 9:58 am
Watch 15 minutes of fox news and you’ll see where it comes from. I suspect that as it becomes apparent that none of the promises Trump made will be kept, the distractions will become louder and more frequent.
Silly Wabbit
January 12, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Peachy Twumpsuckew.
Idk
January 12, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Anyways the federal thing ..Florida puts down verdict of not completing conviction with a withheld and the fed calls it a conviction , sad
Cindy
January 14, 2025 at 5:32 pm
Yes world Trump is a felon..and Hillary Bill Biden are attending his inorgration.along with super Stars yes Hollywood
Cindy
January 14, 2025 at 5:41 pm
Yes they let you know Trump is a felon..in regards to that Hillary Bill Biden will be at Donald’s inauguration party with song and dance.
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