President Donald Trump on inauguration day. Credit: Reuters Online
On Monday, January 20th, observed this year as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking the start of his second term. Americans across the nation are divided, with a central question sparking debate: “How can a convicted felon be elected for President of the United States, when most felons lose their right to vote?”
The justice system answered this question when President Trump faced up to 4 years in prison for his “Hush Money” trial. According to AP News, the trial included a “34 count scheme where President Trump illegally influenced a hush money payment of $130,000 to adult actress Stormy Daniels, as well as falsified business records in the 2016 election.”
With overwhelming evidence including witness testimonies, bank records, invoices, and checks, a New York Jury came to the unanimous decision that President Trump was guilty on all 34 counts.
Despite this decision, President Trump received an “unconditional discharge,” meaning that he would not receive any jail time, fines, or probation. President Trump will serve as the first convicted felon named president in the history of the United States.
A former federal prosecutor states that [Trump] “should’ve been sentenced to 4 years in prison, or at least given a fine with probation, but with the election results making him the next President, he is simply enjoying the benefits.”
In another interview, Judge Juan Merchan referred to the unconditional discharge as “the only lawful sentence to protect the office of the president, not the occupant of the office.”
President Trump has continued to plead his innocence in the case overall. He stated online, “There is no case, there never was a case, I was unconditionally discharged.”
He also has referred to the case as a “political witch hunt that was done to damage his reputation so that he would lose the election.” Which in turn did not work once the results proceeded to give him the victory in November.
President Trump argues that Americans witnessed the results of this case and still gave him the largest number of votes for a Republican presidential nominee in the history of the U.S., which should prove his innocence.
President Trump’s legal battles and his ability to maintain political power despite a 34-count conviction will likely remain a point of contention for many and his presidency could set a new precedent in American politics. This precedent could challenge the intersection of law, politics, and public opinion, making situations like this more complex.
As the political landscape of America continues to shift, Americans await the impact of President Trump’s policies in the years ahead. Although many policies are under wraps, one thing is certain: American politics will never be the same again.
Spartan Echo 