(Re)read Yves Boisvert’s column “Historically mind-blowing, judicially banal”
(Re)read “From “Teflon Don” to convicted felon”
Does this verdict disqualify Donald Trump from his party’s nomination race – or even from the presidency?
No. “Nothing in the Constitution prevents someone who is criminally convicted from running for president,” explains Karine Prémont, professor at the University of Sherbrooke and specialist in American politics.
PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SHERBROOKE SITE
Karine Prémont, specialist in American politics
And although Donald Trump is not yet the official candidate of the Republican Party, there is little chance that he will not be confirmed during the party’s national convention, from July 15 to 18; Activists from a majority of states have already spoken out for their delegates to support it. “If Trump won in their states, he should normally be nominated as candidate,” recalls Mr.me Premont. It can therefore only be him who chooses to withdraw. »
However, this scenario would be surprising.
Will Trump’s lawyers appeal?
Yes. Donald Trump’s lead lawyer in this case, Todd Blanche, already announced Thursday evening that his client would appeal the decision “as soon as possible” on CNN. “In New York, the procedure says: there is the sentencing. Then we will appeal,” added Mr. Blanche.
But the legal delays before being heard are usually long. “For this type of case, it takes about a year,” says James Sample, a law professor at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York, over the phone.
So far, Donald Trump’s team has used every technique to push back the deadlines, recalls Mr. Sample. But his lawyers could now try to speed up the procedures, due to the November 5 election.
To obtain a new ruling, Mr. Trump’s lawyers will have to demonstrate that Judge Juan Merchan made legal errors.
Law professor Gregory Germain, of Syracuse University College of Law, is surprised by the defense strategy, which focused on the lies of former lawyer Michael Cohen. “It was risky,” he emphasizes. They did not present a different version to explain the facts. »
Could the fact of having been convicted in a criminal trial prevent Donald Trump from exercising certain functions inherent to the presidency?
“I don’t see any impact, other than perhaps having to schedule appointments with a probation officer,” says Mr. Germain.
Technically, a president could run the country from a prison; nothing stops him from doing so, recalls Mr. Sample.
But in the case of a first conviction, for a non-violent economic crime, it is rare for a convicted person to go to prison, notes Mr. Germain.
Could this verdict have an effect on the vote?
It is still difficult to assess the effects of the verdict. “When we ask Republicans, about 20 to 25% say they will no longer support him if he is convicted,” notes M.me Premont. But Trump’s ability to retain his supporters should not be underestimated. »
Mr. Germain also believes that the judgment risks galvanizing his supporters, who will see in him a man unjustly persecuted.
If the Supreme Court recognized impunity for presidents, would the verdict be overturned?
“No, because he was not president when this crime was committed,” replies Mme Premont.
The Supreme Court must decide on the boundaries of presidential immunity in the context of the assault on the Capitol in January 2021.
The former president remains accused in three other criminal cases, but no date has yet been set for those trials to begin.
With the collaboration of Vincent Larin, The Press, and Agence France-Presse
The four trials of Donald Trump
Donald Trump is at the center of four criminal cases linked to his political and professional activities. While a first trial concluded with a guilty verdict for the former president on Thursday, three other proceedings await him over the coming months.
Case of the January 6 assault
Donald Trump faces four counts under federal jurisdiction, related to his efforts to retain power after the 2020 presidential election and the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
1er Last August, the former president was charged with conspiracy to violate rights, conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, as well as obstruction of official proceedings and conspiracy to do so. Prosecutor Jack Smith will lead the prosecution in this trial, the date of which has not yet been set.
Georgia elections affair
Donald Trump and 18 of his associates were indicted last August in connection with efforts to go against the will of voters and invalidate Trump’s defeat in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. They all face a total of 10 conspiracy charges, and four have already pleaded guilty.
Fani T. Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, will lead the prosecution.
Classified Documents Case
This federal lawsuit will concern how Trump handled confidential documents he brought with him when he left the White House. On June 27, a federal grand jury in Florida indicted Donald Trump on 37 counts, including unauthorized retention of national security secrets. Three more charges were added against Trump in July.
The procedures were initially scheduled to begin in May, but are unlikely to begin before the end of the election period. The prosecutor, Jack Smith, accused Donald Trump of trying to delay the trial date as long as possible.
Stormy Daniels affair: guilty
Donald Trump was targeted with 34 counts in April 2023, linked to payments to cover up a sex scandal on the sidelines of the 2016 election campaign. The former president was accused of having falsified documents from the Trump Organization linked to the reimbursement of his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to buy the silence of Stormy Daniels, an actress in adult films.
The trial, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, concluded on May 30 when the jury found Donald Trump guilty on all counts.
Fannie Arcand, The Presswith the New York Times