Have you thought about being president? Here's what it takes to run for the highest office in the land. Running for president of the United States might seem straightforward: Meet the age requirement, be a natural-born citizen and live in the country for at least 14 years. However, there are more specific qualifications outlined in the U.S. Constitution that a candidate must meet in order to be eligible to run for president.
According to Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, a candidate for president must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the country for at least 14 years. These requirements are meant to ensure that the president has a deep understanding and connection to the United States and its people.
When the Supreme Court ruled on March 4, 2024, that former President Donald Trump could appear on state presidential ballots for the 2024 election, it reaffirmed these constitutional requirements. The decision came after Trump's legal team argued that he should be allowed to run for president again despite facing criminal charges related to his time in office.
Can Donald Trump be president again if convicted of a felony? Here's what the U.S. Constitution says about who can be president. The Constitution does not explicitly state that a convicted felon cannot run for president, but it does require that the candidate be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the country for at least 14 years.
Mr. Trump had claimed in the landmark legal case that he was immune from criminal charges for acts he said fell within his duties as president. However, the Supreme Court's ruling made it clear that being president does not grant immunity from criminal prosecution, and that all candidates must meet the constitutional requirements to run for office.
Top US court unanimously reverses Colorado decision to kick Trump off primary ballot over January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The Colorado Supreme Court barred Donald Trump from the Republican primary ballot, saying he incited insurrection to challenge the election. This decision marked the first time a court found a former president to be ineligible to return to the White House due to his actions during his time in office.
Donald Trump was indicted on charges related to 2020 election subversion. Could he assume the Oval Office again if convicted of the alleged crimes? While the Constitution does not explicitly address this scenario, it is unlikely that a convicted felon would be able to serve as president, as the president is expected to uphold the laws of the country and set a moral example for its citizens.
