Trump gets no jail time or penalties but becomes first US president to be a sentenced felon: Explained

Can he still vote?

Trump, registered to vote in Florida, remains eligible despite his felony conviction. Florida restores voting rights to most felons after completing their sentence, except for murder or sex offenses, which require clemency.

Since Trump’s conviction was in New York, where voting rights are restored upon release, he retains his eligibility in Florida.

Can he own a gun?

No. Federal law prohibits felons from possessing firearms.

Does he have to give a DNA sample?

In New York, all felony convicts must provide a DNA sample for the state’s crime databank. The noninvasive process involves a cheek swab, typically done after sentencing or by court or police officials.

State police analyse the sample to create a genetic profile entered into the databank, which contains over 720,000 profiles and is linked to the FBI’s DNA Index System.

Technology compares these profiles with DNA from crime scenes, aiding in identifying suspects in unsolved cases.

Can Trump hold office with a felony conviction?

Federal law does not prevent a person convicted of a crime from becoming president. State laws vary on whether a person with a criminal record can run for state or local offices, with some requiring a pardon or expungement. However, there are no such restrictions for federal office.

Can he travel outside the US?

As president, Trump will have a diplomatic passport for official travel and can also keep a regular passport.

New York State Judge Juan Merchan sentences US President-elect Donald Trump as he appears remotely alongside his lawyer Todd Blanche for a sentencing hearing in the criminal case in which he was convicted in 2024 on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star, as prosecutor Joshua Steinglass listens at New York Criminal Court in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., January 10, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

While some countries, like Canada, the UK, and Israel, may restrict entry for those with felony convictions, Trump’s passport is not affected by his conviction.

Will this take away business opportunities?

Trump’s felony conviction may bar him from holding liquor licenses, but his golf courses and hotels might still serve alcohol since his properties are owned through corporate entities, and he isn’t directly involved in holding liquor licenses.

The conviction could also prevent him from reentering the casino business, as individuals with criminal records typically can’t obtain gaming licenses.

Trump previously owned casinos in Atlantic City but no longer does.

Can Trump get a pardon?

Only New York’s governor can pardon Trump for his conviction, as the case was tried in state court. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. It seems unlikely that Gov.

Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, would pardon Trump. When asked last month, she didn’t confirm or deny it, emphasising that the pardon process requires factors like “remorse.”

Trump maintains he did nothing wrong and calls the case a “hoax.” Hochul stated that no one, including Trump, would receive special treatment when considering pardon petitions.

(With Inputs from Associated Press)