# How has the disgraced, CONVICTED FELON, former but once again President Trump pissed you off today? (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 15, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178 "2021-05-15T18:35:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 481
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9622 "2025-01-10T14:41:17Z")
Watching along on CNN. Speculation is that Trump will get an unconditional discharge, but that’s only speculation. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9623 "2025-01-10T14:45:02Z")
Is there a penicillin known that can treat that? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9624 "2025-01-10T14:47:47Z")
Prosecutors are speaking. Steinglass is noting that Trump has expressed no remorse. “Unrelenting in his unsubstantiated remarks against the court; Trump’s conduct is a direct attack on the rule of law.” Hinting that Trump has caused damage to the public perception of the criminal justice system. Probation report indicates that Trump thought he was above the law. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9625 "2025-01-10T14:58:12Z")
Trump’s lawyers speaking now. Now Trump speaking. No idea what he is saying; we will have audio later. Just reporting secondhand, Trump says, “Terrible experience, setback for the NY court system. A case that Bragg didn’t want to bring. ‘Lawfare.’” Implying that justice had been weaponized against him. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9626 "2025-01-10T15:09:21Z")
Merchan: The office of the presidency requires deference, not the occupant of that office. Nobody has the power to erase a jury verdict. Sentence: Unconditional discharge. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9627 "2025-01-10T16:25:53Z")
I would have imposed a prison sentence, given the nature of defendant’s misconduct, its impact on a national election and his ongoing and defiant lack of remorse, but stayed its imposition until Trump leaves office. Have that hanging over his head for the next four years. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9628 "2025-01-10T16:34:35Z")
Bringing down the jurisprudential HAMMER!! /s ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9629 "2025-01-10T16:38:16Z")
Well, at least the judge made it abundantly clear to Trump that he is a convicted felon, and that a sentence of “unconditional discharge” does not change that. Good luck going golfing in Scotland now, Donnie. AFAIK, the UK does not admit convicted felons for pleasure trips. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9630 "2025-01-10T16:47:04Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Where’s Waldo? Um. Well, it’s eleven-something in the morning, so you could do worse than guess that I’m _“at the bar.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9631 "2025-01-10T21:19:23Z")
“Unconditional Discharge” It’s the perfect name for him. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9632 "2025-01-10T21:25:39Z")
How about “ineligible to vote” as a descriptor? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9633 "2025-01-10T22:53:51Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I would have imposed a prison sentence, given the nature of defendant’s misconduct, its impact on a national election and his ongoing and defiant lack of remorse, but stayed its imposition until Trump leaves office. Have that hanging over his head for the next four years. Though I feel the same, I’m convinced by many reputable commentators that such a decision by Merchan would have virtually guaranteed that the conviction would be overturned, if not by the appeals courts, then by SCOTUS. The basis would have been that a President (at least a Republican one) is unduly burdened by knowing that a sentence would be carried out after he leaves office. It might not be a good argument but it’s one that the current SCOTUS would certainly have embraced. _ **And that would have removed Trump’s “felon” status completely.** _ So in the circumstances, I believe that Merchan’s decision was the most justice we could possibly get (disappointing and demoralizing as that is). ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9634 "2025-01-10T23:06:12Z")
Some people are also saying that this probably happened because the top brass of the LAFD are all lesbians. They’re all women; how these commentators would know they’re lesbians is another story. L.A. mayor Karen Bass had that trip to Ghana planned long before the fire, and her presence wouldn’t have made a bit of difference. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9635 "2025-01-10T23:09:13Z")
I saw that Michelle Obama wasn’t there. This link says she was in Hawaii, but I’m guessing that she didn’t want to be anywhere near the Dumpster. > **[Where was Michelle? Why wasn't Michelle Obama at Jimmy Carter's funeral?](https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2025/01/10/why-wasnt-michelle-obama-at-jimmy-carters-funeral-what-to-know/77592210007/)** > > On Thursday, all living presidents and spouses attended Jimmy Carter's funeral, except Michelle Obama. Here's why. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9636 "2025-01-10T23:20:49Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > This link says she was in Hawaii, but I’m guessing that she didn’t want to be anywhere near the Dumpster. Just a few months ago he was basically threatening her in public. > **[People Think Trump's Comment About Michelle Obama Sounded A Lot Like A Threat](https://www.yahoo.com/news/people-think-donald-trumps-michelle-083938857.html)** > > Critics asked, "Is that a threat?" I don’t blame her. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9637 "2025-01-10T23:21:31Z")
Side comment, that was weird article. It starts out relatively normal and then starts a random Q and A Michelle Obama that get less and less relevant to the article finally asking what her age is. I’m guessing it was written by AI. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9638 "2025-01-11T00:30:02Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > How about “ineligible to vote” as a descriptor? My understanding is that this does not render him unable to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9639 "2025-01-11T00:31:12Z")
You’re correct, not in his state of residence. Which is ironic, because IIRC, the State of Florida _did_ attempt to make voting illegal by convicted felons. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9640 "2025-01-11T00:36:27Z")
Felons were unable to vote after release unless they went through a ridiculously arbitrary review process. Then Florida had a referendum to reinstate the franchise to non-violent felons, Whereupon the GOP did everything within their legal power to put obstacles in their way. But Florida also says that if the state you’re convicted in wouldn’t normally take away your right to vote (as New York doesn’t in this instance), you can still vote in Florida. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178/9641 "2025-01-11T00:40:52Z")
Thanks for that clarification. Somehow my brain had a notion that Florida tried to stop all convicted felons from voting, which based on the information in your post, they sort of did. That’s as far as my thinking got! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178.md?page=480) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-disgraced-convicted-felon-former-but-once-again-president-trump-pissed-you-off-today-part-1/942178.md?page=482)