Steve, a few observations, but regarding your concerns about retaliation, they may be excessive. President Trump is not one to be taken literally, otherwise we should conclude that he must be strait-jacketed!
For example, see his recent words about Greenland, Canada and Panama. Literally taken, they sound downright crazy. But the conceptual foundations are true. In the global scenario, America needs Panama and Greenland to achieve an efficient defense strategy. I listened to his recent press conference and journalists, as everyone else, were confused. But that's it.
Words to be taken seriously enough, but not literally.Re. Felony convictions. It was hard to find suitable references, but it seems that, according to the Forbes newspaper, this is a 1st degree conviction. In Italy, that would mean almost nothing. Almost everyone goes to appeal and often judgments will be upturned. the POTUS will not have entry restrictions from other countries, since his status will grant him an exception without a doubt.
Trump’s sentencing means he can now formally appeal his conviction and try to have it overturned, which he has said he plans to do, and even without a successful appeal it’s possible international leaders would make exceptions for a sitting president.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/01/10/can-trump-travel-as-president-heres-where-his-convicted-felon-status-could-be-a-problem/My final comment on his conviction is that he deserves it, because he is undoubtedly guilty of two major faults:
1) He has been a fool to go to bed with an unknown, unreliable money-seeking lady.
2) He has been a fool to trust his traitor-lawyer Mr. Cohen.
A Potus cannot be too much of a fool. The above being said, he'll go to appeal and he will try to reverse the judgment. Almost nothing will change. The people have not given too much weight to such a predicament because it is not too important in the context of the duties a president will have to face, if not that maybe He'll learn to be smarter.
