What Crime is Trump Convicted Of?
As the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump has been involved in numerous controversies and legal battles throughout his presidency and post-presidency. One of the most significant and contentious issues surrounding Trump is his potential criminal liability. But what crime is Trump convicted of?
The Short Answer
As of now, Donald Trump has not been convicted of any federal crime. However, he has been accused of numerous criminal offenses, including:
• Obstruction of Justice: Trump’s efforts to influence the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, including his attempts to persuade Attorney General Jeff Sessions to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
• Emoluments Clause Violations: Trump’s failure to divest from his business interests and potential receipt of payments from foreign governments.
• Campaign Finance Violations: Trump’s alleged role in the hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal during the 2016 presidential campaign.
• Tax Evasion: Trump’s alleged failure to pay taxes on millions of dollars in income.
The Long Answer
Trump’s potential criminal liability stems from several investigations and legal actions. Here are some of the key allegations:
Contents
Obstruction of Justice
In 2019, the House Judiciary Committee voted to hold Trump in contempt of Congress for his refusal to comply with subpoenas related to the Mueller investigation. The committee’s report accused Trump of obstruction of justice, citing evidence that he:
• Directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress: Trump allegedly instructed his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to tell Congress that a proposed Trump Tower project in Moscow was abandoned in January 2016, when in fact it continued until June 2016.
• Attempted to fire Mueller: Trump allegedly pressured Attorney General Jeff Sessions to fire Mueller, and later told Sessions that he was "very disappointed" in his decision not to do so.
• Directed Sessions to limit the scope of the investigation: Trump allegedly told Sessions to limit the scope of the investigation to potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, rather than investigating Trump’s business dealings.
Emoluments Clause Violations
The Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution prohibits federal officials from receiving payments or benefits from foreign governments without congressional approval. Trump’s failure to divest from his business interests, including the Trump Organization and the Trump International Hotel, has raised concerns that he is violating this clause. In 2018, the District of Columbia and Maryland filed a lawsuit alleging that Trump’s hotel is a public forum and that he is violating the clause by profiting from foreign government payments.
Campaign Finance Violations
Trump’s alleged role in the hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal during the 2016 presidential campaign has raised concerns about campaign finance violations. In 2018, Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to making these payments and accused Trump of directing him to do so. The FBI investigation into these payments, known as "Operation Crossfire Hurricane," is ongoing.
Tax Evasion
In 2019, the New York Times reported that Trump had received over $1 billion in tax benefits from the IRS over the past decade, citing a review of his tax returns. The report alleged that Trump had:
• Falsely reported his income: Trump allegedly reported lower income than he actually earned, resulting in lower tax payments.
• Used tax loopholes: Trump allegedly used tax loopholes and deductions to reduce his tax liability.
Conclusion
As of now, Donald Trump has not been convicted of any federal crime. However, he has been accused of numerous criminal offenses, including obstruction of justice, emoluments clause violations, campaign finance violations, and tax evasion. The investigations and legal actions surrounding Trump are ongoing, and it is possible that he could face criminal charges in the future.
