By Federico Trabucci
May 30, 2024, 17:43 PM EDT
Donald Trump was found guilty by a jury that found the evidence sufficient on all 34 counts related to conspiring to make a secret payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
To make its decision, the jury evaluated the evidence presented by prosecutors, which included testimony from 22 witnesses and various pieces of evidence.
The answer is yes. The former president could run for election in November.
The U.S. Constitution sets out only a few eligibility requirements for presidents: They must be at least 35 years old, be native-born citizens, and have resided in the United States for at least 14 consecutive years.
However, it does not mention anything about the criminal history of the candidates, although ordinary citizens can lose certain privileges if they have a criminal record.
If Trump were sentenced to prison and then won the election, it is unclear what would happen, as it would be an unprecedented situation in the country’s history. The Constitution does not address this scenario.
What are the possible penalties that Donald Trump could face?
Trump could receive a fine, a sentence of probation or supervised release and, in the worst case, a prison sentence.
The judge in charge of the case, Juan Merchan, will be the one who determines the sentence, which would be announced weeks after the guilty verdict, if it is handed down.
The Republican Party has shown no intention of seeking another candidate if Trump is found guilty.