(Washington, D.C.) – Donald Trump, now the President-elect of the United States, faces multiple ongoing legal challenges despite his election victory. These challenges include criminal charges and civil suits that could be impacted by his position in office. Trump was the first former president to be convicted of a crime earlier this year, following his involvement in a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign.
As he prepares for his second term, legal experts suggest his position as president may allow him to avoid some of the legal consequences, particularly regarding federal cases.
Trump’s legal issues stem from several major cases, including the hush money scandal, charges related to attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, and accusations of mishandling classified documents. The hush money case, for which Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records, could lead to a sentence later this month, though his legal team is seeking delays due to arguments surrounding presidential immunity.
In Georgia, Trump is facing charges related to attempting to reverse his election loss in the state, where his defeat was narrow but certified.
Despite the criminal cases, Trump’s legal battles are likely to be influenced by his return to the presidency. Experts suggest that he may have the authority to dismiss federal cases and appoint officials to influence investigations, though state level cases in New York and Georgia could remain unresolved during his term.
Additionally, there are ongoing civil suits against Trump, including allegations of fraud and sexual assault, which may continue to unfold outside of his presidential duties.
| Legal Case | Details |
|---|---|
| Hush Money Case | Trump was convicted of covering up a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. |
| Election Subversion | Trump faces charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, including conspiracy to obstruct the certification process. |
| Georgia Election Interference | Trump is charged with trying to reverse his defeat in Georgia, which involved racketeering laws. |
| Classified Documents | Trump faced charges for mishandling classified documents but was cleared in July. |
| Civil Cases | Trump is involved in multiple civil lawsuits, including fraud cases and defamation suits. |
Experts believe that while Trump’s federal cases may be dismissed under his presidential immunity, the state cases, particularly in Georgia, are more complicated and may be delayed or paused indefinitely. Furthermore, Trump could attempt to pardon himself, though this has never been legally tested. His legal team is likely to argue that any actions he took as president should be considered official acts and thus immune from prosecution.
Despite these ongoing legal issues, Trump’s election victory may provide him with the power to influence the course of his legal troubles. His ability to appoint officials and potentially shut down investigations means that many of these cases may not have significant consequences during his term.
However, state cases and civil lawsuits may continue to progress independently of his presidential role.
