NEW YORK (WPIX) — Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 charges in a historic hush money trial Thursday. People may now be wondering whether Trump can still be re-elected and serve a term as president of the United States.
The conviction will not prevent Trump from continuing his campaign for the White House.
There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that says convicted felons or people who have been convicted of a crime cannot run for president.
The United States Constitution stipulates that to be eligible to run for president, a candidate must:
- Be a natural-born U.S. citizen
- Be 35 years of age or older
- Have lived in the U.S. for 14 years
“Anyone who meets these requirements may declare their candidacy for presidential office,” the General Services Administration's website states. “Once a candidate has raised or spent more than $5,000 on his or her campaign, he or she must register with the Federal Election Commission, which includes appointing a primary campaign committee to raise and spend campaign funds.”
This means Trump can still run for president.
But if he wins and takes office next year, he likely won't be able to erase the conviction from his record: Under the US Constitution, an acting president can grant pardons for federal crimes, but not for state crimes like this one.
According to the Library of Congress, the legal requirements for presidential candidates have remained unchanged since the year George Washington took office.
This story features reporting from The Associated Press and Nexstar Media Wire.
