Former President Donald Trump’s court schedule is getting increasingly crowded as he prepares for a potential run in the 2024 presidential campaign. Despite facing felony charges in multiple cases, even a conviction wouldn’t prevent him from serving as president if he were to be re-elected.
In Washington D.C., Trump is facing four federal charges related to the contested 2020 election and the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The charges include conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction, and conspiracy against the right to vote. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and a trial date could be set later this month.
In Florida, Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 counts that allege he unlawfully kept sensitive military documents and shared them with unauthorized individuals. He also allegedly attempted to circumvent the government’s efforts to retrieve these documents. The federal trial for this case is tentatively scheduled for May 2024, right in the middle of the Republican presidential primary calendar. In July, additional charges were filed against Trump, accusing him of ordering employees at his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, to delete security videos while he was under investigation for retaining classified documents. Trump is set to be arraigned on these charges on August 10.
Meanwhile, in New York, Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. These payments were allegedly disguised as legal expenses. The trial for this state case is set to begin in late March 2024, just a few weeks after Super Tuesday.
There is a possibility that Trump could face additional charges in Georgia, where the Fulton County District Attorney intends to present a case to a grand jury. These allegations involve Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, although no charges have been filed as of August 5.
While Trump’s court appearances could complicate his campaign, even a conviction would not automatically disqualify him from running for or serving as president. The Constitution does not prohibit felons from holding the presidency, although some argue that Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment could render Trump ineligible. This section disqualifies individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding office, but Congress can vote to remove this disability through a two-thirds majority.
It remains uncertain whether Trump could pardon himself if convicted, and any such action would likely be subject to legal challenge. It is important to note that a federal acquittal is relatively rare, with only 0.4% of defendants going to trial and being acquitted in fiscal year 2022.
As Trump faces his legal battles, he has expressed frustration, claiming that the charges are an attempt to interfere with his campaign. However, the legitimacy of these claims remains a subject of debate.
In conclusion, despite his crowded court schedule and facing felony charges, Trump could still pursue a presidential run in 2024 if he were to be re-elected. The trials could present logistical challenges for his campaign, but they would not automatically prevent him from running or serving as president. The legal proceedings and their outcomes will continue to be closely watched as the 2024 election approaches.
