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What rights did Trump lose? And other frequently asked questions about the former president’s conviction
Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts by a New York jury is historic and unprecedented. No former president or even a major party’s presidential nominee has ever been convicted of a felony.
When CNN asked readers for their questions, there was an uproar. Some of the most interesting and frequently asked questions are below.
What are criminals prohibited from doing? Varies by state. In New York, where Trump was convicted, being convicted of a crime has “collateral consequences.” Importantly, felons in New York cannot hold many public offices, including elected officials. But Trump is no longer a New York resident. In Florida, felons lose civil rights, including the ability to hold public office and serve on a jury. Although he cannot hold office in Florida or New York, there is nothing in the Constitution that prevents him from running for president.
Can Trump still vote? That’s most likely. Trump is a Florida resident, and Florida defers felony convictions to New York law. New York allows felons to vote as long as they’re not incarcerated.
Will Trump be able to regain his power? In New York, an offender can apply for a certificate of good conduct to restore all rights after a certain period. The charges against Trump are Class E felonies, for which the term is three years. Florida requires offenders to apply for clemency through a special board, but for out-of-state convictions like Trump’s, it is referred to the state where the person was convicted.
Can Trump pardon himself if re-elected? Not in this case. Presidents have the power to grant pardons for federal crimes. Trump was convicted of a felony in New York state court. That would require a pardon from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, who commuted his sentence.
Could Trump get a security clearance if elected as a criminal? It would be difficult for anyone convicted of a felony to obtain a security clearance. But presidents are not required to obtain a security clearance. In fact, voters have given them access to all of the nation’s secrets.
Can Trump travel abroad? Trump’s conviction doesn’t automatically prevent him from holding a U.S. passport. But it could make travel to some countries difficult. Thirty-eight countries don’t allow felons to enter their borders, according to the World Population Review, which states that some of those countries deny entry to criminals “in advance,” while others do so only when they “learn” of the conviction. That list includes Canada and Mexico, as well as Australia, China and South Africa.
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