Donald Trump Has Once Again Defied The Odds, The Norms, And, Apparently, The Law. From Capitol Riots To Convicted Felon And Back To The White House!

Donald Trump, the 78-year-old former president and president-elect, made history—as the first U.S. president to be convicted of a felony. But if you thought this would spell the end of Trump’s political journey, no it hasn’t. Despite a jury’s guilty verdict in his Manhattan hush money case, Trump has walked away with no jail time, no fines, and, apparently, no dents in his ambitions to return to the White House.

A Felon in the White House?

Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over this unprecedented case, had the option to sentence Trump to up to four years in prison. Instead, he handed down an unconditional discharge—a no-penalty sentence so rare it’s almost unheard of. While the judge respected the jury’s verdict, he cited Trump’s “extraordinary legal protections as president-elect” as the reason for the leniency.

In other words, Trump is free to take the Oath of Office for his second term, felony conviction and all.

This case, stemming from hush money payments to cover up a scandal, marks the first time a U.S. president has been criminally prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced. Of the four criminal indictments Trump has faced, this is the only one to go to trial—and likely the only one that ever will.

Trump’s Take. A Political Witch Hunt

In a brief but fiery statement delivered via video from Mar-a-Lago, Trump dismissed the case as a “political witch hunt” and a ploy to tarnish his reputation. “It was done to damage my reputation so that I would lose the election, and, obviously, that didn’t work,” he said, flanked by U.S. flags and his defense attorney, Todd Blanche, who is set to join his administration as the second-highest-ranking official in the Justice Department.

Despite the courtroom drama and the sordid details of the case, Trump’s supporters remain unshaken. The American electorate, it seems, has made peace with the idea of a convicted felon occupying the Oval Office.

Prosecutors may have supported the no-penalty sentence for Donald Trump in his hush money case, but they didn’t hold back on criticizing his behavior throughout the trial. Instead of showing remorse, Trump went on the offensive, attacking the jury verdict, the justice system, and even calling for the judge to be disbarred. This, prosecutors argued, has eroded public trust in the criminal justice system and endangered court officers.

The Case That Rocked Trump’s Campaign

At the heart of the case were falsified business records that masked a $130,000 payoff to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 campaign. Daniels claimed the money was hush money to keep her quiet about a decade-old sexual encounter with Trump, an allegation he has repeatedly denied. According to Trump, this was all a politically motivated “bogus prosecution” aimed at derailing his political career.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Democrat Alvin Bragg, saw it differently. They called Trump’s actions “serious offenses” that undermined both the electoral process and New York’s financial integrity. They argued that the payment, funneled through Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen, was part of a larger scheme to shield voters from stories of Trump’s alleged extramarital affairs.

Trump’s defense team claimed he acted to protect his family, not his campaign. But prosecutors convinced the jury that Cohen’s reimbursement, falsely recorded as legal expenses, was part of a deliberate cover-up.

Delays, Immunity, and Finality

Trump’s legal team tried every trick in the book to avoid a trial and later to overturn the conviction. They leaned heavily on claims of presidential immunity, bolstered by a Supreme Court decision granting former presidents considerable legal protections. Trump’s timeline added complexity: he was a private citizen when Daniels was paid in 2016, but he was president when the reimbursements were made and recorded in 2017.

Judge Juan Merchan, balancing Trump’s legal protections with the principle that “no one is above the law,” postponed sentencing multiple times before setting a firm date. Trump’s lawyers made last-ditch efforts to block the sentencing, but the Supreme Court declined to intervene in a narrow 5-4 decision.

What About the Other Cases?

The hush money trial was just one of several legal battles Trump faced. Other cases, however, have either fizzled out or stalled. Special counsel Jack Smith dropped federal cases against Trump over mishandling classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election. In Georgia, a state-level election interference case remains in limbo after the prosecutor, Fani Willis, was removed.

What Rights Could Donald Trump Lose as a Convicted Felon?

Donald Trump may have dodged jail time, but his criminal conviction isn’t without consequences. Judge Merchan made it clear that the jury’s verdict stands, even if Trump’s presidency gave him a shield of immunity. While the sentencing doesn’t immediately impact many of Trump’s rights, it does open the door to potential long-term consequences, especially if the conviction isn’t overturned.

Here’s what you need to know:

Can Trump Still Vote?
Yes, Trump can still cast his ballot. While Florida law bars convicted felons from voting, the right is restored once they complete their sentence. Since Trump isn’t serving prison time, his voting rights remain intact. The conviction happened in New York, and similar rules apply there—no prison, no loss of voting rights. So, if he’s eyeing the 2024 elections, his name might still be on the voter rolls.

Can Trump Hold Office?
Absolutely. The U.S. Constitution doesn’t bar individuals with criminal records from running for president. The only criteria are being at least 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and having lived in the country for at least 14 years. Convicted felon or not, Trump is still constitutionally eligible to campaign, run, and even serve as president again.

Can Trump Pardon Himself?
Nope. Trump’s conviction falls under state law, which means presidential pardon powers don’t apply. The only person who can grant him a pardon is New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. But don’t hold your breath—Hochul has already hinted that a pardon isn’t likely, citing the state’s rigorous process, which includes showing remorse (something Trump hasn’t exactly demonstrated).

Can Trump Own a Gun?
Not anymore. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Trump, known for his public love of guns, stirred controversy in 2023 when he posed with a Glock during a visit to a South Carolina gun store. While he didn’t actually buy the weapon, his conviction now officially puts him on the “no guns allowed” list.

The Appeal Game

Trump has 30 days to file a “notice of appeal,” a process that could stretch on for years, potentially overlapping with another presidential term. For now, he’s taken to social media to denounce the verdict as a “hoax,” railing against what he calls a biased judge, a flawed trial, and election interference.

What Ifs’ Linger Over Trump’s Sentencing

The question of how Americans might have reacted—or voted—if Trump had been sentenced before the election is destined to remain unanswered. Speculation aside, the timing of the legal proceedings allowed Trump’s presidential victory to effectively neutralize the threat of significant legal punishment, both in the hush money case and his federal indictments.

Originally slated for July 11, Trump’s sentencing was postponed multiple times, largely due to the Supreme Court’s sweeping ruling on presidential immunity. Ultimately, the decision to delay sentencing until after the election worked in Trump’s favor. His victory as president-elect effectively erased the immediate legal repercussions, leaving critics and supporters to debate the potential impact of an earlier sentencing.

Judge Merchan wasn’t obligated to impose prison time, though legal experts speculated whether the low-level felonies—despite carrying a maximum four-year prison term—warranted such a penalty. Lesser options like home confinement or community service were also on the table.

Now, it’s anyone’s guess how Merchan might have ruled if the sentencing had taken place in July or after a different electoral outcome. The judge gave little away during Friday’s hearing, speaking sparingly before delivering Trump’s sentence.

Trump’s Plan to Fight Back

Although he faces no immediate penalties, Trump has made it abundantly clear that he intends to fight the conviction tooth and nail.

“We’re going to appeal anyway, just psychologically, because frankly, it’s a disgrace. It’s a judge that shouldn’t have been on the case,” Trump said during a speech at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday night.

Now that Merchan has entered the final judgment, Trump’s legal team can escalate their battle. His attorneys will likely file an appeal with the state appellate court, a process expected to drag on for years.

The fight could get complicated as Trump’s top defense attorneys take on roles in his administration. Todd Blanche, seated beside Trump at Friday’s hearing, has been tapped as deputy attorney general, while Emil Bove, who represented Trump in the Manhattan courtroom, will serve as principal associate attorney general.

If the lower appellate court upholds the jury’s verdict, Trump’s team can escalate the case to New York’s Court of Appeals. Should those efforts fail, the next—and final—step would be the U.S. Supreme Court, a route Trump is expected to pursue if all else fails.

As Judge Merchan closed out his role in the trial, he left Trump with a pointed yet measured farewell, just 10 days before his second inauguration:

“Sir, I wish you Godspeed as you assume your second term in office.”

The Last Bit, A Felon, But Still in the Game

Despite the conviction and all the legal wrangling, Trump emerged relatively unscathed. The no-penalty sentence ensures he’s free to continue his political career without the immediate threat of jail time or fines. Yet, the case—and Trump’s attacks on the justice system—has left a lasting impact on public trust and the perception of accountability for those in power.

As Trump prepares to step back into the Oval Office, the question isn’t just what rights he might lose as a convicted felon, but what this moment means for the future of American democracy. In the end, the voters have spoken—and for better or worse, they’ve decided that a felony conviction isn’t a dealbreaker for the highest office in the land.

Final Thought: Love him or loathe him, Donald Trump has once again defied the odds, the norms, and, apparently, the law.