Can a convicted felon run for president of the United States? It’s a question that has been asked in the wake of President Donald Trump’s impeachment and possible criminal investigation. Constitutional experts have weighed in on the issue and the answer is complicated.
The United States Constitution does not explicitly disqualify felons from running for president. In fact, the only qualifications for the office are age, being a natural born citizen of the United States, and having lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. Constitutional experts also told ABC News that previous Supreme Court rulings hold that Congress cannot add qualifications to the office of the President.
However, while felons are not explicitly disqualified from running for president, they can face certain legal impediments. According to the Constitution, the president is the “Commander in Chief” of the U.S. Armed Forces, and as such, felons are not allowed to possess any firearms or ammunition. This means that, even if a felon is elected, they would not be able to fulfill their duties as Commander in Chief.
Furthermore, while felons are not prohibited from running, they may be barred from voting in some states. For example, Mississippi does not allow felons to vote until they have completed their sentence, including parole and probation. This means that even if a convicted felon wanted to run for president, they may not be able to garner enough votes to be successful.
You can be a convicted felon and run your campaign from a federal election office, however, the Federal Election Commission cannot accept campaign funds from felons. Additionally, felons are prohibited from soliciting or accepting donations for their own campaigns.
And he has the luxury of not having to make a presidential run “official” or announce his candidacy in order to do so. This is because, as a convicted felon, McDaniel is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition, which is a requirement for the office of the President.
Previous Supreme Court rulings hold that a state cannot prohibit indicted or convicted felons from running for federal office, and Congress cannot add any qualifications to the office of the President. This means that, while felons cannot be prevented from running, they may face certain restrictions that could prevent them from being successful.
But can Trump really be disqualified if convicted? Only in the court of public opinion. Indictment and even conviction of a felony is no ground for disqualification for the office of President. It is important to note, however, that if a president is convicted of a felony, they can be subject to impeachment.
'Being a felon is not a disqualification,' Hannity said on his radio show, though the former president has not been charged with any crimes at this time.
Convicted felon and former state Sen. Chris McDaniel recently announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi. McDaniel, who served a sentence in federal prison for fraud and bribery, has said that he wants to focus on issues such as criminal justice reform. One of the issues he is advocating for is the First Step Act, signed by President Donald Trump in 2018 to reform sentencing laws.
The answer to the question of whether a convicted felon can run for president is complicated. While felons are not explicitly prohibited from running for the office, they may face certain legal impediments that could prevent them from being successful.
At the same time, the public perception of felons running for office can also be a factor in determining the success of their candidacy. For example, many people may be less likely to vote for a candidate who has a criminal record.
It is also important to remember that, while felons are allowed to run for president, they must comply with the laws and regulations that apply to all candidates. This includes not accepting campaign funds from felons, not soliciting or accepting donations for their own campaigns, and not possessing any firearms or ammunition.
Finally, it is important to remember that while felons are allowed to run for president, the decision ultimately rests with the voters. It is up to the people to decide on the qualities needed in a successful presidential candidate.
