Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, might face travel restrictions if sentenced to probation following his conviction in the hush money case. Trump was found guilty on May 30 of 34 counts of falsifying business records linked to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. This payment was meant to keep Daniels from discussing an alleged affair with Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The sentencing, scheduled for July 11 by Judge Juan Merchan, has sparked considerable debate about what penalties Trump might face. Options include prison time, house arrest, fines, or probation, with many legal experts leaning toward probation as the most probable outcome. Probation could significantly restrict Trump's travel abilities, both within the U.S. and internationally.
As reported by Macroticker.com, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that the hush money was intended to silence Daniels about her claims of an affair. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, calling the case politically motivated. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the conviction.
Former Pennsylvania district attorney Matthew Mangino told Newsweek that if Trump is placed on supervised probation, the court might limit or prohibit his international travel. "I expect him to receive at least supervised probation," Mangino said. "The court has the right to permit domestic travel, but it could limit or prohibit international travel."
However, not everyone agrees with this assessment. Lance Fletcher, a Manhattan criminal defense attorney, expressed doubts about the likelihood of probation. Speaking to HuffPost, Fletcher said, "I would be shocked if they gave him probation because of all the ways it could invite a legal showdown, including the fact that he'd have to ask permission to travel outside of New York."
After his conviction, Trump issued a statement to Newsweek, describing the trial as "rigged" and maintaining his innocence. "I'm a very innocent man, and it's OK," he said. "Our whole country is being rigged right now. We don't have the same country anymore. We have a divided mess. We're a nation in decline, serious decline."
The legal implications of Trump's sentencing are substantial, but the political repercussions are equally significant. Should the court impose probation with travel restrictions, it could severely impact Trump's political engagements and influence. This situation continues to unfold, with close scrutiny on how it will affect Trump's future both legally and politically.
