SPECIAL EDITION: Donald Trump Convicted On All 34 Counts
SPECIAL EDITION: Donald Trump Convicted On All 34 Counts
From KKK Fred to Felony Donald — An 'Unpresidented' Day in American History
NOTE: While we normally publish new pieces at 8am CST during weekdays, the unprecedented conviction of a former President warranted a special edition. As always, we hope you enjoy, share, and engage in the comments section.
There’s something special about Donald Trump making history today, May 30, 2024, as the first former President in US history to be convicted of a crime—and it isn’t just that he is first. Remarkably, 97 years ago On This Day in 1927, Fred Trump, the father of former President Donald Trump, was arrested for rallying with the KKK white supremacist terrorist organization.
Fast forward 97 years, and on May 30, 2024, Fred’s son Donald has been convicted of 34 felonies in a Manhattan court—on every count for which he was accused. Side note: Wikipedia works fast, as Donald Trump’s page was updated in seconds.
The poetic justice is almost palpable. In the very state where Donald Trump once took out a full-page ad to falsely accuse five Black and brown youths of a crime and call for their death, he now faces the music for his own misdeeds. (Meanwhile, one of those exonerated five, Yusef Salaam, is a beloved and elected City Council member in New York City).
But let’s dive into what this conviction means.
First, let’s be perfectly clear—Donald Trump’s conviction is not the result of a grand conspiracy by Biden, Clinton, Soros, Big Bird, Target, Wokeness, Disney, the pride flag, CRT, or DEI. Donald Trump was convicted by his fellow U.S. citizens under due process, as required by the U.S. Constitution. This isn’t a partisan victory or a cultural battleground score; it’s justice served by the very system he alleges to champion when he calls himself the “Law & Order Candidate.”
Likewise, let’s also debunk the myth that convicting Donald Trump is extreme, political, or “third world” as some MAGA Republicans have described it. In reality, convicting a former head of state for demonstrable criminal acts after due process of law isn’t unique in the world, and certainly not in developed democracies. By holding Donald Trump accountable for his crimes, the United States joins the ranks of dozens of nations, including many developed democracies, that ensure their leaders are not above the law. In fact, since 2000, at least 78 nations have prosecuted or jailed their leaders after they left office, including U.S. allies like France, Israel, Taiwan, and South Korea. Trump’s New York conviction signals to the world that at least in this case, the United States is serious about the rule of law, regardless of the defendant’s status or former office.
Moreover, the Supreme Court cannot grant Trump immunity from this conviction, nor can a future President. This is because Trump has been convicted in state court, and if there’s one thing Republicans love, it is “States’ Rights.” The very principles they hold dear now ensure that justice is not obstructed. While New York Governor Hochul has the power to grant him clemency, her disdain for Donald Trump notwithstanding, I highly doubt she’d willingly engage in such political suicide.
And finally, as a convicted felon, chances are Donald Trump cannot vote in the upcoming election in Florida. Only two states allow incarcerated felons to vote, and Florida is not among them. In fact, let alone the ban on voting for incarcerated felons, Governor Desantis has gone out of his way to make voting a near impossibility for former felons, even those who have already served their time.
Oh, and one last thing—will Trump face prison time? We’ll find out soon enough. Donald Trump will be sentenced for these 34 convictions on July 11, where he faces 0 to 4 years for each count. Any sentencing would run concurrently so his punishment could range from probation and no prison to up to 4 years in prison. But his troubles don’t end there. As CBS News reports:
Trump is still facing charges in two cases brought in federal courts in South Florida and Washington, D.C., by special counsel Jack Smith and one prosecution in state court led by Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis.
In other words, Trump’s legal troubles, and likely criminal convictions, are only just getting started.
In short, the conviction of Donald Trump serves as a testament to one aspect of American democracy—the principle that no one, not even a former president, is above the law. Still, what a strange situation that a man convicted of felonies that manipulated an election, while unable to vote in future elections, can still run for office and be elected? We shall see if this conviction hurts, helps, or makes no difference on Donald Trump’s chances to win in November. For now, my gratitude to the New York Jury who valiantly and courageously fulfilled their civic duty, delivered due process of law, and reminded us all that this country’s head of state is indeed a President accountable to the law, not a dictator who is above the law.
At least not yet.
The universe gives us signs. We must lift our eyes to see the truth. Thank you.
I believe you are mistaken about whether Trump can vote. Florida law determines whether a convicted felon can vote by the state laws where the conviction happened. New York State law allows felons to vote if not actually in prison. Therefore, Trump will be allowed to vote in Florida. If he had been convicted in Florida, he would have been prohibited from voting.