Former and current President Donald J. Trump faces a number of legal proceedings: at least six separate criminal cases at the state and federal levels. The six main criminal cases are the Manhattan “hush money” case, the mishandling of classified documents case, the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the nation’s capital, the Georgia election case, the New York civil fraud case and the E. Jean Carroll defamation and assault case.
In May 2024, Trump was charged with adult film actress before the 2016 election was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records relating to hush money paid to Stormy Daniels. Despite this conviction, he received an unconditional discharge and avoided jail time and fines. However, he is still subject to restrictions, including not being allowed to carry a firearm.
Trump was charged with federal crimes for allegedly mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The indictment includes 40 counts of keeping classified government records and interfering with a federal investigation. Originally scheduled for trial in May 2024, the case was dismissed in July 2024 by Judge Eileen Cannon, who ruled that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutional, and the dismissal is currently on appeal.
In August 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Trump on four charges related to his alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election, leading to the Capitol riots on January 6. The charges included conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of justice; Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report, released in January 2025, detailed substantial evidence but concluded that no indictments would be filed due to the Justice Department’s policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents.
Trump is facing state-level indictments in Georgia for allegedly attempting to pressure officials to change the outcome of the 2020 election. Fulton County District Attorney Fanni Willis indicted Trump and 18 others in a comprehensive racketeering case; as of January 2025, the case remains pending and its proceedings are affected by Trump’s reelection.
In September 2022, New York Attorney General Trump, his three oldest sons, filed a civil fraud lawsuit against the Trump Organization. The court ruled in September 2023 that they had committed repeated acts of fraud and revoked their New York business licenses; in February 2024, Trump was ordered to pay a penalty of over $450 million and barred from serving as an officer or director of the New York corporation for three years. He has indicated that he intends to appeal.
In May 2023, a New York jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against journalist E. Jean Carroll and ordered him to pay $5 million in damages. In January 2024, another jury found Carroll liable in a related defamation case and awarded $83.3 million in damages. Trump’s appeal was denied, and the judgment was upheld.
Despite these legal challenges, Trump was reelected in November 2024. Several cases were dismissed or stayed due to the Department of Justice policy of not prosecuting incumbent presidents.
