Donald Trump is still in the presidential race, despite being convicted last month of 34 felonies. The serious crimes are related to payments of money to a porn star with whom he allegedly had sexual relations.
Trump said he is an innocent man who has done nothing wrong. He criticizes the judge and President Joe Biden for the outcome.
Peverill Squire, a political science professor at the University of Missouri, said no one running for office wants to be convicted during a campaign, much less someone running for president. He hopes this will “disrupt” the race.
“I’m sure Trump will cling to his core supporters and they will find fault, not in the convictions, but in the process,” he explained. “Then we’ll see what happens to people who may be less committed to Trump, whether they walk away from his pro-Biden campaign or just withdraw from the process altogether.”
Although he could be sentenced to prison next month, Squire admitted it would be unusual for him to serve time considering his lack of previous convictions.
“On the other hand, he has not behaved in a way that the evidence shows is contrition and he has been quite hostile towards the judge and the process that could work against him,” Squire said. “I don’t know how the judge will decide to go down.”
Missouri Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, called the verdict “shameful” and hopes it will be overturned on appeal.
Squire believes Trump-devoted Republicans will see this conviction as an affront to justice, but stops short of saying it could result in a surge in popularity.
“I’m not sure this will add many voters to his base,” he said. “It’s not a good look to have convictions on your record, even if there is some skepticism about the particular set of laws or violations that may be at play.”
The Missouri Democratic Party said it has “faith” in the justice system and is confident that the jury “did not take this task lightly.” The jury was chosen by both the prosecution and defense teams.
There is a difference between how this verdict plays out at the national level and at the state level.
“There is nothing in the United States Constitution that prevents a presidential candidate from running with a conviction, even a felony conviction,” he said. “It would be difficult at the state level. Most states have laws that prevent people in that situation from running for public office, but we don’t have that at the national level.”
Trump’s sentencing date is July 11. An appeal is expected.
2024, Missourinet.
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