CAN'T: Receive government assistance
Convicted felons often face significant barriers when it comes to accessing government assistance programs, a reality that can severely impact their ability to rebuild their lives after serving time. Federal law disqualifies individuals with felony convictions from receiving benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps. Additionally, felons may be ineligible for federal housing assistance, making it harder to find stable living arrangements.
As you might imagine, Donald Trump's wealth makes this particular restriction a non-issue as it wouldn't affect him. He doesn't have a need for these governmental programs.
CAN'T: Job and loan applications
Being a convicted felon can create substantial obstacles when applying for jobs and loans, as many employers and financial institutions view a criminal record as a red flag. During the job application process, felons may be required to disclose their criminal history, which can lead to automatic disqualification or bias, even if they possess the necessary skills and qualifications. Similarly, when applying for loans, including mortgages or business loans, felons may face higher scrutiny or outright denial from lenders who view them as higher-risk applicants.
Again, this wouldn't affect Donald Trump directly. He is not likely to be seeking job opportunities via application. Nor would he be seeking personal or business loans; any necessary loans would be handled by business partners.
CAN: Voting (depends on the state)
The impact of a felony conviction on voting rights varies significantly between states In Florida, a felony conviction historically resulted in a lifetime ban on voting, with rights only restored through a lengthy clemency process. However, after the passage of Amendment 4 in 2018, most felons regained the right to vote upon completion of their sentences, including parole and probation. In contrast, New York State adopts a more lenient approach. Felons automatically regain their right to vote upon release from incarceration, including during parole, thanks to an executive order issued in 2018. Those on probation or who have completed their sentences do not face additional barriers like fines or fees to restore their voting rights.
While the restoration of voting rights to convicted felons in Florida is rather restricted, Donald Trump hasn't been convicted in Florida. He was convicted in the state of New York. Even though he is a resident of Florida, the resident's state follows the rules of the conviction state (if they differ). Governor Ron DeSantis has confirmed this, also. Even though he is a convicted felon, former President Trump can still vote in Florida.
CAN'T: Serve on a jury
For convicted felons, the ability to serve on a jury is often restricted or entirely prohibited. In many states, individuals with felony convictions are automatically disqualified from jury duty, based on the belief that a criminal background might bias their judgment or affect their ability to fairly evaluate evidence and testimony. Some states allow felons to regain their eligibility to serve on a jury, but only after completing their sentence, including probation or parole, and sometimes obtaining a formal pardon. However, in other states, the disqualification is permanent, regardless of how much time has passed..
This is another prohibition that is unlikely to affect Donald Trump. As a former president, he would have mostly likely been excused from serving on a jury should his name ever have come up in rotation.
CAN'T: Possess or acquire a firearm
Convicted felons face strict prohibitions when it comes to possessing firearms, a consequence that significantly impacts their Second Amendment rights. Under federal law, individuals with felony convictions are barred from owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms or ammunition, regardless of the nature of their crime. This restriction is intended to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from accessing weapons, but it applies broadly to all felons, even those convicted of nonviolent offenses. Violating this prohibition can result in severe penalties. Some states offer a path to restore firearm rights, but this typically involves a complex and often costly legal process, such as obtaining a pardon or expungement of the felony record. In states with more lenient laws, restoration may be possible after a certain period, but the process remains challenging and is not guaranteed.
This is one prohibition that does affect Trump directly. Upon being charged with his 34 felony counts, Trump had his New York concealed carry license suspended in April 2023. At the time, the state was aware of him owning three pistols. Two were surrendered to the NYPD at that time. The third pistol was noted as being legally transferred to his residence in Florida. During his first probation meeting in June 2024, Trump was reportedly asked about this third gun because it had not yet been handed over. Public documentation of this occurence has not been released, but this could pose a serious problem for the former president as convicted felons face strict prohibitions when it comes to possessing firearms according to federal law.
CAN: Run for president
Running for president as a convicted felon presents unique legal and political challenges, but surprisingly, it is not explicitly prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. While a felony conviction disqualifies individuals from voting (in some states), serving on a jury, or holding certain public offices, it does not automatically bar someone from seeking the presidency.
As you may well be aware, Donald Trump is currently running for president, his third campaign in the past three presidential elections. He is currently the Republican Party presidential nominee, all while being a currently convicted felon.
CAN: Serve in Congress
This is similar to running for President. Serving in Congress as a convicted felon involves significant legal and political hurdles, though it is not outright prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. While the Constitution sets few qualifications for congressional candidates—being at least 25 years old for the House of Representatives and 30 years old for the Senate, among others— it does not explicitly disqualify felons from holding office.
Donald Trump has not indicated he would like to run for Congress, as either a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate. But if he decided he would wish to do so, he would be legally allowed to run. And if he were to win, he could legally serve his term.
CAN'T: Serve in the armed forces
Serving in the armed forces is generally off-limits for convicted felons, as military branches maintain strict eligibility criteria that prioritize individuals with clean legal records. A felony conviction typically disqualifies a person from enlisting, as the military views criminal history as a potential liability that could impact discipline, security, and unit cohesion. However, in some rare cases, waivers may be granted, particularly during times of high demand for recruits or if the felony is considered less severe. Obtaining such a waiver is a complex and uncertain process.
Because of his age and role as former president, Donald Trump is highly unlikely to want or try to enlist to serve in the armed forces. However, if he did so, he would mostly likely be denied due to his convicted felon status.
CAN: Get a passport
In the United States, having a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify someone from receiving a passport. However, certain conditions related to the conviction might complicate the process. For instance, if the individual is currently serving a sentence or is under specific court orders that restrict travel, these conditions may affect their ability to obtain or renew a passport.
As a convicted felon, Trump is able to maintain and renew his passport. It will not be confiscated. However, he may run into trouble with individual foreign governments should he travel internationally.
CAN'T: Travel to a different country
Traveling to a different country can be particularly challenging for convicted felons, as many nations impose strict entry restrictions on individuals with criminal records. Some countries, like Canada and Japan, have stringent immigration policies that may deny entry to anyone with a felony conviction. Even if a country does not outright prohibit entry, felons may face additional scrutiny during the visa application process, including the need to provide extensive documentation or attend in-person interviews. Furthermore, certain countries require visas where they might otherwise grant visa-free entry to citizens without criminal records.
It remains to be seen how this may affect the former president. Because of his political status, he still may be able to visit certain countries, even if they normally prohibit convicted felons. This would be especially true for any country whose leader is a fan of Trump. They would no doubt grant him exceptions to be able to visit. On the other hand, if a country's leader is particularly antagonistic toward Trump, they may refuse to grant him entry as a political show.