Can Trump still run for president? Would he be able to serve as president from behind bars? Yes and yes.
The only thing the conviction affects is his right to vote. He is a resident of Florida, where felons are not allowed to vote until they serve their sentence and pay their financial obligations set by the court.
If Trump is elected, there remains the question of whether he can self-pardon. The president has clemency power only for federal cases and therefore will not be able to pardon himself in the New York case. The only one who would have the power to do so is Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is critical of him and therefore is unlikely to make that move.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to former President Donald Trump’s guilty verdict in a post on the social platform X, calling the decision to put him on trial “profoundly undemocratic.”
“The Democratic Party’s strategy is to beat President Trump in the courtroom rather than the ballot box. This will backfire in November. Even worse, it is profoundly undemocratic,” he said.
Mr. Kennedy explained that the country deserves a president who can win over voters at the polls “without compromising our government’s separation of powers or weaponizing the courts.”
After jurors found former President Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts in his Manhattan criminal trial, President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign sent out a fundraising text message.
“Despite a jury finding Donald Trump guilty today, there is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: At the ballot box,” the text read.
President Trump’s campaign website linked to a donation page after the verdict that simply said “political prisoner” on it. Within minutes, the page had crashed from online traffic but was back up shortly after.
President Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, who served as a key witness for the prosecution, reportedly responded by suggesting the verdict important for accountability and the rule of law.
“Today is an important day for accountability and the rule of law,” he said in a text message shared by Politico’s Ben Feuerherd on X. “While it has been a difficult journey for me and my family, the truth always matters. I want to thank my attorneys Danya Perry and Joshua Kolb for their invaluable guidance and support throughout this process.”
Shaun Maguire, a partner at the venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he has made a $300,000 donation to the Trump campaign following the former president’s conviction.
“The timing isn’t a coincidence,” he posted.
This is notable given Mr. Maguire’s history of donating to Democrats.
1 hour ago
Mr. Bragg did not answer whether he would be requesting a prison sentence for President Trump. He declined to answer other questions about sentencing as well.
“I did my job. Our job is to follow the facts without fear or favor,” Mr. Bragg said in response to another question. “What I feel is gratitude to be able to work alongside phenomenal public servants who do that each and every day.”
1 hour ago
President Trump will hold a press conference at Trump Tower at 11 a.m. on Friday.
1 hour ago
“First and foremost I want to thank the jury for its service,” Mr. Bragg said. “Their service is literally the cornerstone of our judicial system. We should all be thankful for the careful attention that this jury paid to the evidence and the law and their time an commitment over these past several weeks.”
“Twelve everyday New Yorkers, and of course our alternates, heard testimony from 22 witnesses including former and current employees of the defendant, media executives, book publishers, custodians of records, and others,” he said. He recapped the records entered into evidence.
Republican Larry Hogan, who served as Maryland’s Governor from 2015 to 2023, told Americans to “respect” the verdict in former President Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial in a post on the social platform X.
“Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders—regardless of party—must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship,” the former governor said.
“We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law.”
After the verdict, President Trump posted to TruthSocial: “VICTORY ON NOVEMBER 5TH. SAVE AMERICA!!!”
He also posted a video showing him walking down a hall with tense music playing. A voiceover from him predicted he and his supporters would “demolish the deep state, we will expel the war mongerers from our government, we will drive out the globalists, we will cast out the communists, marxists, and fascists.”
Within minutes of his New York criminal conviction being announced, former President Donald Trump issued a campaign-fundraising appeal portraying himself as a “political prisoner.”
In a post to his Truth Social platform, the silhouetted image of Trump with a fist pumping in the air appeared under that headline, with the message: “Support Trump” at the bottom.
When users clicked on the link, however, an error message showed up, indicating that the fundraising site had apparently crashed because of so much traffic.
The White House broke its silence and commented on the Trump verdict with a brief statement.
“We respect the rule of law, and have no additional comment,” White House Counsel’s Office spokesperson Ian Sams said on social media platform X.
George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley said on X that he thought the verdict would be reversed.
“I obviously disagree with this verdict as do many others. I believe that the case will be reversed eventually either in the state or federal systems,” he said.
“However, this was the worst expectation for a trial in Manhattan. I am saddened by the result more for the New York legal system than the former president. I had hoped that the jurors might redeem the integrity of a system that has been used for political purposes.”
Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz criticized the Trump defense for not raising issues he said it should have during the trial. “This was not a well-tried case by the defense,” he said on Rumble.
He described the verdict day as “sad” for the country. “We’re not China and we’re not Iraq, but we’re close to some of the countries in South America.” He suggested that the legal system would be used corruptly to punish political opponents.
Mr. Dershowitz, who said he voted for President Biden, said President Trump was convicted of non-crimes.
A man wearing a Trump 2024 hat in the park across from the courthouse was completely surrounded as he yelled defensively, and the crowd is taunting him.
Signs of all sorts were raised in the park.
Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host, said in a post on the social platform X that the guilty verdict in former President Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial won’t hurt his election chances “if he’s not killed first.”
“Import the Third World, become the Third World. That’s what we just saw,” Mr. Carlson said.
“This won’t stop Trump. He’ll win the election if he’s not killed first. But it does mark the end of the fairest justice system in the world. Anyone who defends this verdict is a danger to you and your family,” the anchor added.
CANTON, Mich.—Krishna Gogi, 23, and Rishi Pammi, 21, of Canton, Mich., both university students, were only vaguely aware that President Donald Trump was standing trial and had no reaction to the verdict. “I’ve lost confidence in both parties,” Mr Gogi told The Epoch Times, “especially with everything that’s happened in Palestine.”
Both men said they will vote for neither major candidate in November. “I’d rather have my voting power go to something I believe in,” Mr. Pammi said.
On hearing the news of President Trump’s conviction, Hazel Gomez of Detroit wanted to read more details before giving a reaction. “This feels like an odd election year,” she told The Epoch Times. “We’re not being engaged by either party. I pray the presidency will be taken seriously.”
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee criticized the verdict, describing the trial as a “sham.”
“This is a dark day for America,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said on X. “This entire trial has been a sham, and it is nothing more than political persecution. This disgraceful decision is legally baseless and should be overturned promptly on appeal. Any judge with a modicum of integrity would recognize that this entire trial has been utterly fraudulent.”
Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) both described the case as dangerous. “This ‘trial’ has been from beginning to end a complete and total sham, a mockery of the criminal justice system, and one of the most dangerous abuses of our political process in American history,” Mr. Hawley said.
The Biden campaign issued a statement following today’s verdict.
“In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law,” Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director Michael Tyler said in the statement.
“Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain. But today’s verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president.”
2 hours ago
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will hold a press conference on the case at 6:30 p.m.
Prosecutors alleged that former President Donald Trump committed election interference in the actions that led to his Manhattan criminal trial. But after jurors handed a guilty verdict for all 34 counts, Sen. J.D. Vance called the case itself “election interference” in a post on the social platform X.
“This decision is a disgrace to the rule of law and our Constitution,” the senator said.
“Dems invented a felony to ‘get Trump,’ with the help of a Soros-funded prosecutor and a Biden donor Judge, who rigged the entire case to get this outcome.”
Supporters and bitter foes of President Trump milled about in the park outside 100 Centre St. under a heavy police and court officer presence.
The mood is animated but people are calm and mostly talking in normal voices. The police have taken no chances since this historic trial began, turning out in overwhelming force in and around the court building.
Democrats took a victory lap over the unprecedented conviction of former President Donald Trump on May 29.
After more than 11 hours of deliberation, 12 jurors reached the unanimous verdict in the case at Manhattan Criminal Court, convicting the presumptive GOP presidential nominee on 34 first-degree counts of falsifying business records related to a payment he made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.
While GOP lawmakers expressed anger over the verdict, posting on X, formerly Twitter, Democrat members celebrated President Trump becoming a felon.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was not happy about the verdict in former President Donald Trump’s Manhattan Criminal trial, calling it a “sad day for America” minutes after finding out the former commander-in-chief was found guilty of all 34 counts.
“How long can our Republic survive once partisans have taken over the judicial process?” the senator asked in a post on the social platform X.
“This verdict will tragically undermine Americans’ confidence in impartial justice. A sad day for America.”
In a statement on X, previously Twitter, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), lamented and railed against the unprecedented conviction of former President Donald Trump.
“Today is a shameful day in American history. Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges, predicated on the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon. This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one.
“The weaponization of our justice system has been a hallmark of the Biden administration, and the decision today is further evidence that Democrats will stop at nothing to silence dissent and crush their political opponents.
Right after the jury reached a guilty verdict, finding former President Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) called the decision a “travesty of justice” in a post on the social platform X.
“The Manhattan kangaroo court shows what happens when our justice system is weaponized by partisan prosecutors in front of a biased judge with an unfair process, designed to keep President Trump off the campaign trail and avoid bringing attention to President Biden’s failing radical policies,” Mr. Jordan said.
3 hours ago
A crowd has descended on the courthouse where President Trump was on trial.
Pro-Trump and anti-Trump demonstrations are underway.
3 hours ago
“This was a disgrace, this was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt,” President Trump said outside the courtroom.
“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people and they know what happened here and everyone knows what happened here,” he said.
“We didn’t do a thing wrong,” he said. “I’m a very innocent man.”
3 hours ago
“We will sentence July 11,” Justice Merchan said.
3 hours ago
“Your motion is denied,” Justice Merchan told the defense.
Lawyers are now conferring with the judge.
3 hours ago
“We’re moving for judgement,” Mr. Blanche said. “There’s no basis and there’s no way this jury could have reached a verdict without accepting the testimony of Mr Cohen.”
“There is no reason that the court should allow a verdict knowing that a witness necessarily who to be party to a crime and offense should be used to convict President Trump. There is no evidence that had any connection to the charged offense and President Trump, and the only connection is Michael Cohen.”
Mr. Steinglass urged the judge to deny the motion.
3 hours ago
President Trump is sitting still, looking stoic.
He and his lawyers stood up, and the judge said they could remain seated, but it appears the attorneys are making a motion.
3 hours ago
The jurors are now being polled individually to affirm that this is their verdict and it is unanimous.
The judge thanked the jurors, saying he has observed them throughout the trial and they have worked hard and spent a lot of time away from their families.
3 hours ago
The jury foreman is reading the jury’s decision for each of the 34 counts.
“Guilty,” he said, responding to a court officer, count by count, for all 34 counts.
3 hours ago
“All rise,” Justice Merchan said before rereading the note from earlier.
President Trump was in discussion with defense attorney Emil Bove before the judge returned to the courtroom.
3 hours ago
Defense attorney Todd Blanche whispered to President Trump, who sits still, looking stoic.
Now President Trump is saying something to his attorney.
3 hours ago
Justice Merchan announced jurors have a verdict, and requested more time so as to deliver it today, going over 4:30 p.m.
“We the jury have a verdict. We would like an extra 30 minutes to fill out the forms. Would that be possible?” the jury foreperson wrote in a 4:20 p.m. note read by the judge.
The judge announced a break.
4 hours ago
A reporter asked President Trump “are you nervous about a verdict?” as he returned to the courtroom.
“I want to campaign,” he said to the press.
4 hours ago
As the jury deliberates, President Trump is still required to appear in court rather than go on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, he has been posting to his Truth Social account throughout the day.
“Very unfair that I am not being allowed to Campaign. Crooked Joe Biden Witch Hunt. Third World Country!!!” reads one post. In another, he criticized the jury instructions as “misleading” and “confusing” for jurors as they have already requested a readback.
5 hours ago
Trump legal spokesperson Alina Habba answered reporters’ questions outside the courthouse as deliberations continued.
“Does he hate being here? I don’t think anybody likes being held up in court. Is he nervous? No, President Trump is used to this,” said Ms. Habba, who is not representing President Trump as legal counsel in this case. “This is unfortunately not something anybody can handle, but he can. And I think that’s why he was president. I think he’s not easily intimidated, and frankly we need more of that in this country.”
“I don’t think anybody wants to be convicted of anything, but he’s positive, he’s resilient, and he’s really just focused on the campaign and what he’s going to do when he gets out of here in this mess that they’ve held us up into,” she said.
9 hours ago
“Jurors, I believes that completes the readback. Does that respond to your notes?” Justice Merchan asked. “OK, I’ll excuse you to continue your deliberations.”
9 hours ago
Mr. Cohen had testified that Mr. Pecker was told, “Anything negative that comes, you let Michael know and we’ll handle it.” He affirmed that AMI showed him some of the articles they planned to run as well.
Clerks concluded reading back the requested testimony.
9 hours ago
Mr. Pecker said it had been his understanding that he would notify Mr. Cohen about negative stories when he found they were up for sale.
“I said to Michael Cohen that after paying for the doorman story and the Karen McDougal story that I wasn’t going to buy anything further and I wasn’t a bank,” Mr. Pecker said. “I told Dylan Howard that there is no possible way I would buy the story for $120,000 and I didn’t want to have anything to do with a porn star.”
“Based on our mutual agreement back in August 2015, any stories concerning Mr. Trump that would be very embarrassing, I would want to communicate them to Michael Cohen right away. If he heard about them some other way, he would go ballistic,” Mr. Pecker said.
9 hours ago
Mr. Pecker was also cross-examined by defense attorney Emil Bove about the meeting, and affirmed that he initially told prosecutors the meeting was during the first week of August, and made a mistake because Mr. Trump would have been at a debate.
“I thought that, I didn’t know the exact date, I knew it was the first half of August,” Mr. Pecker said.
“I don’t mean to put you on the spot. these things happened a long time ago, right? And even when you’re doing your best, and I’m sure you are now, it’s hard to remember what happened when, right?” Mr. Bove asked.
9 hours ago
Attorneys also read back Mr. Pecker’s testimony concerning a 2015 meeting at Trump Tower where Mr. Pecker, Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Trump were present.
Hope Hicks, and aide who would later be communications director for the Trump Campaign, was in and out of that meeting, Mr. Pecker said.
9 hours ago
Clerks read back the cross-examination of Mr. Pecker from later in his testimony.
Mr. Pecker testified that the first week of October 2016 he called Mr. Cohen to break off a deal wherein Mr. Cohen would, through an LLC, purchase the life rights to Ms. McDougal’s story.
“It was a bad idea and I want you to rip up the agreement,” Mr. Pecker said he told Mr. Cohen. “He was very upset, screaming at me. Michael Cohen said, the boss is going to be very angry at you. I said I’m sorry, I’m not going forward, the deal is off. He said I don’t understand, I’m a lawyer, I’m your friend, I don’t understand why you are so concerned.”
10 hours ago
Court clerks read back testimony by Mr. Pecker under questioning by prosecuting attorney Susan Hoffinger.
“Did you ever come to believe that Michael Cohen had spoken with Mr. Trump about Ms. McDougal’s claims?” he was asked.
“Yes I did,” Mr. Pecker testified. “He said he told me about Karen, and he said what do you think?”
10 hours ago
Justice Merchan read back portions of his instructions from yesterday.
He explained that the Wall Street Journal articles were introduced to provide context, not as proof of the defendant’s guilt or innocence, and other evidence introduced was hearsay. He said the National Enquirer headlines and certain invoices were entered into evidence “for the limited purpose” of establishing that the articles were published and the documents were created.
He repeated instructions on the presumption of innocence, burden of proof, requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and the fact that jurors cannot read into President Trump not testifying.
10 hours ago
Justice Merchan said there were disputed portions of the transcript but not very many, and approved them to be read back to jurors.
The jury had yesterday afternoon requested to review portions of National Enquirer publisher David Pecker’s testimony about a phone call with Mr. Trump and about his decision not to fund the life rights agreement for Karen McDougal’s story, as well as testimony by Mr. Pecker and Mr. Cohen about the 2015 Trump Tower meeting.
11 hours ago
“Here we go again. Five weeks I’ve been here, I’m gagged, I’d like to answer all of your questions but I’m gagged so I can’t talk as much as I would like to,” President Trump told the press before heading into the courtroom. Reporters shouted several questions about the jury, and the gag order bars him from making public statements about jurors.
He read from new op-eds published about his case, and claimed the Clinton campaign did worse things during the 2016 election.
He also made a passing comment about his civil fraud case appeal, saying the judge who ruled against him would be overturned on appeal.
13 hours ago
Jurors are entering the second day of deliberations today in the trial of former President Donald Trump.
Yesterday, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan gave procedural and legal instructions to the jury lasting more than an hour. Hours later, jurors made a request to re-hear the instructions, as well as for a readback of some witness testimony.
The jury has no set timeline to deliver their verdict, but any decision they make will need to be unanimous.
Original News Source Link – Epoch Times
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