Only one sitting U.S. president has been convicted of a felony: President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York in May 2024, though he remained in office during and after the trial. No other president has been convicted of a felony while serving. Several others have faced indictments, investigations, or impeachment, but impeachment is a removal process, not a criminal conviction, and does not equate to a felony conviction. Below we clarify definitions, review notable cases, and summarize outcomes to provide a durable, factual reference.
Key Definitions and Legal Context
What Counts as a Felony in the U.S. System
A felony is typically defined as a serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison. State and federal felony definitions vary, but for presidential history the relevant standard is conviction in either state or federal court. Indictments, investigations, or impeachment alone do not establish a felony conviction. Impeachment addresses "high crimes and misdemeanors" and removes officials from office but is a political, not criminal, process.
Historical Overview of Presidents and Felony Convictions
Since the founding of the republic, only one sitting president has been convicted of a felony. Other commanders-in-chief have faced investigations, civil suits, or impeachment, but none have been criminally convicted of a felony while in office. The timeline below summarizes the most relevant milestones.
| President | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | Convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York (May 2024), while serving as president. | Court Verdict, NY County |
| Andrew Johnson | Impeached by the House; acquitted in Senate by one vote. Impeachment is not a criminal conviction. | U.S. Congressional Record |
| Bill Clinton | Impeached; acquitted in Senate. Prior civil sexual assault suit settled while in office. | U.S. Senate Trial Record |
| Richard Nixon | Resigned before impeachment process concluded; later pardoned by Gerald Ford. | White House Archives, Federal Record |
| Other presidents | No verified felony convictions while in office beyond Trump. | Historical Records |
Impeachment vs. Felony Conviction
Impeachment is the constitutional process by which the House brings charges and the Senate conducts a trial to remove an official from office. It is not a criminal proceeding and does not require a criminal conviction. A president can be impeached and removed for "high crimes and misdemeanors," which may include misconduct that is not a felony under state or federal law. A felony conviction, by contrast, requires a guilty verdict in a criminal court following a trial or plea.
Notable Investigations and Indictments
- Donald Trump faced multiple indictments (federal and state), including the 2023 Manhattan indictment that led to the felony conviction in May 2024.
- Richard Nixon faced impeachment inquiries and a threat of impeachment; he resigned and received a pardon before any impeachment vote or criminal trial.
- Bill Clinton faced Paula Jones civil suit and impeachment; neither resulted in a felony conviction.
- No other sitting president has been indicted on felony charges or convicted of a felony.
Consequences While in Office
A felony conviction while serving can affect a president’s ability to govern, may prompt calls for resignation or removal, and can influence public and institutional trust. The Constitution provides mechanisms for removal via impeachment, the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, or, as in the case of a conviction, ongoing legal processes. After a conviction, a president could face additional civil or criminal liability after leaving office, depending on jurisdictional laws and the nature of the offense.
Summary of Felony Convictions
To date, only one U.S. president has been convicted of a felony while serving. The distinction between impeachment, indictment, and criminal conviction is critical for accurate historical and legal understanding. This verification clarifies common conflations and provides a concise reference for future inquiries.
Reliable Sources and Methodology
- U.S. Senate Impeachment Trials: official records for Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton.
- Federal court records for Donald Trump (2024 verdict).
- Office of the Federal Register and Presidential Libraries for Nixon’s resignation and pardon.
- State court records for related cases where applicable.
Conclusion
Only one sitting U.S. president—Donald Trump—has been convicted of a felony. Impeachment and civil suits do not equal felony convictions. All other presidents in U.S. history have avoided a felony conviction while in office. Understanding the legal distinctions and documented timelines ensures an accurate, durable interpretation of this question.