Kamala Harris would be the first woman, and first person of Asian descent ever to be elected President of the United States.
Donald Trump would be the first person to face felony criminal trials, and the first person convicted of a felony ever to become President of the United States.
Trump's first term saw significant criminal justice reforms. Would his experiences facing investigations and criminal trials focus his efforts on reforming the justice system.
Written by: Sam Orlando
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA - In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Americans face a unique choice, one shaped by historic firsts. Vice President Kamala Harris has the potential to become the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of Asian descent to lead the United States. On the other side, former President Donald Trump, a convicted felon and the only ex-president to face federal and state criminal charges, is once again running for office. Should he win, he would be the first convicted felon to hold the presidency.
Kamala Harris and the Possibility of a Historic Presidency
Kamala Harris’s candidacy represents a potential breakthrough for women and people of color, who have historically been underrepresented at the highest levels of government. Her supporters see her potential presidency as a validation of diversity and a step toward a more inclusive political landscape. From her background as a prosecutor to her focus on policies that impact women and minorities, Harris brings a new vision of leadership to the campaign.
Donald Trump: A Legacy of Law-and-Order with Criminal Justice Reform Ties
While Trump’s campaign for re-election is unprecedented due to his felony conviction, it also brings attention to his complex role in criminal justice reform. His signing of the First Step Act in 2018, a bipartisan measure aimed at addressing disparities in federal sentencing and expanding inmate rehabilitation, was widely celebrated by reform advocates. This historic legislation saw a coalition of progressive and conservative groups uniting for significant reform.
Reflecting on the impact of the First Step Act, Senator Cory Booker called it “a step forward for our criminal justice system… to restore justice to our justice system.” Similarly, Senator Mike Lee commended the act as a "huge win for America and President Trump" and praised the collaboration that allowed for real bipartisan reform
Conservative advocates have highlighted that Trump’s legal struggles resonate with some of their concerns. Zack Smith of the conservative Heritage Foundation noted, “What we saw during the first Trump administration was very blue cities, like Philadelphia and San Francisco, had the federal government stepping in to take over cases…[showing] how prosecutors wield substantial power over defendants”
Trump’s Legal Challenges: Unequal Justice or Systemic Kinship?
Trump’s legal situation has been contentious, with many seeing it as a symbol of accountability. Yet, some conservative criminal justice advocates argue that Trump’s prosecution exemplifies prosecutorial overreach. Michael Rushford, president of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, pointed out that “People feel like these criminal justice reform measures and the progressive prosecutors — all that has been a failed approach,” which he suggests has led to calls to “reverse course a bit”
John Jay College Professor David Brown predicts that Trump's personal experiences with what he called aggressive prosecutors might usher in a new era in criminal justice reform, where the power enjoyed by prosecutors might well be curbed.
For Trump supporters, his conviction has also shed light on systemic issues, even if under different circumstances than what most Americans experience. The First Step Act coalition included figures such as Insha Rahman of the Vera Institute of Justice, who has pointed out that "the outcome of this election… will have a huge bearing on whether we find ourselves with momentum again for criminal justice reform, or whether we are still in this backlash moment”
Implications for Democracy and the Presidency
With Election Day approaching, voters face a choice that may reshape America’s image and principles. Harris stands as a symbol of progress and representation for historically marginalized communities, while Trump’s legal history forces the country to confront issues of justice, accountability, and privilege. If elected, either candidate would bring historic significance, challenging norms and potentially setting new precedents for the role of the presidency.
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