Can a convicted felon become president of the United States?

Yes, a convicted felon can become President of the United States. Under the U.S. Constitution, which lays out the qualifications for holding the nation's highest office, the only limitations are that you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 35 years old.

In fact, there is a long history of people running for president who have been convicted of crimes. For example, in the 1920 presidential election, the outspoken socialist Eugene Debs campaigned for president from a federal prison in Georgia. Debs was charged and convicted of sedition in 1918 for his fiery speeches denouncing America's participation in World War I.