meaning of on these grounds

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When we talk about being " on the ground ," we often refer to a situation or activity that's happening right where people are, in the most direct and immediate sense. This idiom is a favorite for describing firsthand experiences, real-time actions, and the nitty-gritty details of daily life, especially in contexts like news reporting, business operations, and crisis management.

In short: "On the ground" means being in the direct location where events are unfolding or work is being done.

What Does "On the Ground" Mean?

The idiom "on the ground" has a straightforward yet profound implication, suggesting presence, involvement, and immediacy in a particular situation or location. It's a phrase that brings images of people actively engaged in activities right where the action is happening.

This idiom can be unpacked to reveal several key aspects:

• Direct involvement or presence in a specific location or situation.
• Firsthand experience or observation of events as they occur.
• A focus on practical, real-world conditions rather than theoretical or distant perspectives.

Where Does "On the Ground" Come From?

The origins of "on the ground" are somewhat literal, stemming from the physical act of standing on the earth's surface. Over time, this phrase has evolved to symbolize physical presence, active engagement, and firsthand experience in a particular context or situation. Historically, the term has been used in military, aviation, and emergency response contexts to describe the situation of personnel directly on site, as opposed to those analyzing or commanding from a distance.

Historical Usage

One of the earliest uses of the term can be traced back to military contexts, where "on the ground" referred to soldiers physically present on the battlefield. Similarly, in aviation, the term is used to describe the state of an aircraft being on the land instead of in the air, emphasizing the idea of direct contact with the ground.

Recently, the idiom has been adopted widely in news reporting and crisis management to convey the immediacy and directness of information or action. This term's evolution reflects a broader understanding of the importance of direct, firsthand knowledge and involvement in events as they unfold.

10 Examples of "On the Ground" in Sentences

Here are ten examples of how "on the ground" can be used in sentences, showcasing its versatility and applicability in various contexts:

• The relief organization has many volunteers on the ground in the disaster-stricken area and their assistance was much appreciated .
• Our correspondent is on the ground in the capital, bringing us the latest developments.
• To truly understand the community's needs, we need to have people on the ground , engaging directly with residents.
• The military operation was successful thanks to the brave soldiers on the ground .
• During the festival, we'll have several team members on the ground committed to ensuring everything goes smoothly.
• After the earthquake, aid agencies quickly sent teams on the ground to assess the damage and provide support in these trying times .
• Quite frankly , our research project benefits from having scientists on the ground in the Arctic to collect real-time data.
• With the situation evolving rapidly, having reporters on the ground helps us provide accurate news coverage.
• The company is expanding its operations and has already established a sales force on the ground in Asia.
• During the protests, there were many activists on the ground , documenting events and providing assistance.

Examples of "On the Ground" in Pop Culture

There have been a few notable examples of "on the ground" in pop culture.

Here are some examples:

• " A Mind Spread Out on the Ground " by Alicia Elliot is a collection of essays exploring the complexities of identity, culture, and the impact of colonialism on Indigenous people.
• " Reminders of Him " by Colleen Hoover includes a poignant reflection on the nature of falling, both physically and metaphorically, with the quote: " You fall on the ground, you fall behind, you fall to your death. Whoever was the first person to say they fell in love must have already fallen out of it. " This novel delves into themes of love, loss, and redemption.
• Stephen King's poignant quote from " Strom of the Century " reflects on the character Job's despair and questioning of fate after experiencing profound loss with the quote: “ When his life was ruined, his family killed, his farm destroyed, Job knelt down on the ground and yelled up to the heavens, "Why god? Why me? "

Synonyms: Other/Different Ways to Say "On the Ground"

There are several ways to express the idea of being directly involved or present in a specific location or situation, similar to "on the ground."

Here are some alternatives:

• In the field: This phrase is often used to describe professionals, especially researchers or reporters, who are working out in the world rather than in an office.
• At the scene: Used to indicate someone's presence at the location of an event or incident, commonly used in news reporting.
• On-site: This term is frequently used in construction, event management, and other industries to denote presence at the location of work or activity.
• Boots on the ground: Originally a military term, it's now also used in civilian contexts to emphasize the presence of personnel in an area of interest or operation.
• On the front lines: This phrase can refer to individuals directly involved in challenging or critical work, especially in contexts like healthcare, emergency services, and activism.

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "On the Ground"

• What does "on the ground" mean in a literal sense?

It refers to being physically present on the surface of the Earth or at a specific location where events are taking place.

• How is "on the ground" commonly used in professional contexts?

In professional settings, "on the ground" is often used to describe individuals who are directly involved in operations, activities, or events at the location where they are occurring.

• Can "on the ground" be used in non-physical contexts?

Yes, it can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is deeply involved in the practical aspects of a situation, project, or issue, even if not physically present.

• Is "on the ground" used internationally, or is it specific to certain regions?

This idiom is used internationally and is not limited to any specific geographic region, though its usage may vary slightly based on local language and culture.

• What are some synonyms for "on the ground"?

Synonyms include "in the field," "at the scene," "on-site," "boots on the ground," and "on the front lines."

• How did "on the ground" evolve from a literal to a figurative meaning?

The evolution likely stems from the physical presence required in many tasks, which over time became a metaphor for being actively involved in any situation or project, regardless of the physical component.

• Can "on the ground" imply a level of expertise or specialization?

Yes, it can imply that the individuals "on the ground" have specific skills, knowledge, or expertise relevant to the situation or location they are in.

• How is "on the ground" used in news reporting?

In news reporting, "on the ground" refers to journalists or correspondents who are physically present at the location of a news event, providing firsthand accounts and observations.

• Does "on the ground" have different connotations in military versus civilian contexts?

Yes, in military contexts, it often refers to soldiers physically present in a combat zone, while in civilian contexts, it can refer to anyone directly involved in activities or operations in a specific area.

• How can understanding the use of "on the ground" enhance communication?

Recognizing the use of "on the ground" can enhance communication by providing clarity on the level of direct involvement and presence in a situation, which can be crucial in various professional and casual contexts.

Final Thoughts About "On the Ground"

The idiom "on the ground" plays a significant role in everyday language, offering a vivid way to describe direct involvement and presence in various situations.

• It emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience and observation.
• The phrase is versatile and applicable in numerous contexts, including professional settings, news reporting, and crisis response.
• Understanding and using "on the ground" can enhance communication by providing clear and immediate context.
• Its synonyms and related expressions enrich our language, allowing for nuanced expressions of presence and engagement.

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Possible meanings of "on the grounds that"

In some texts related to an administrative authority, the following extract is present:

You can apply for an administrative review of that decision, if you think we have: reached an incorrect decision on the grounds that your circumstances have changed reached an incorrect decision on the grounds that you failed to tell us about something relevant to your application ...

There are several such sentences using on the grounds that .

I'm trying to grasp the exact meaning of those phrases, among the following interpretations:

We stated that you failed to tell it about something relevant to your application; you believe that led to an incorrect decision.

You failed to tell us about something relevant to your application; you believe that led to an incorrect decision.

Is there one of the above that is clearly the intended meaning here, or is the phrase ambiguous enough that both could be inferred?

[Disclaimer: I am not engaged with the authority in question, nor do I request legal advice; this is just about the intended meaning of such constructions.]

• sentence-meaning
• expressions

on the grounds that : for the reason that : because Many critics have objected to the proposal on the grounds that it would be too costly.

• Well, I had read that but assumed that somehow there might be other meanings according to the context. I think my question is somewhat worthless so if someone wishes to close it as not very useful, I wouldn't mind. –  anol Feb 10, 2018 at 15:50

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"On grounds of" vs. "on the grounds of"

Here's the sentence from Wall Street Journal:

...eight individuals have been deported on grounds of national security.

Instead of this, if one says,

...eight individuals have been deported on the grounds of national security.

Any difference?

• phrase-usage

3 Answers 3

I can find two rules to define this :

No article is needed before abstract nouns used in a general sense. 2.Articles are not needed in more abstract expressions of situation like to/at sea, to/at/out of work, in/out of town, in/out of office, etc.

I have a feeling that your expression on the grounds of would fit in as an abstract expression, as grounds is an abstract idea, not literally the ground.

Thus, whether or not you have the definite article doesn't matter. The meaning doesn't change, and there's no difference.

• 1 The only difference to a reader is that "on the grounds of" could mean in a physical location, so there may be a slight mental jolt when they hit the words "national security". Omitting "the" eliminates this since "the" is required in phrases like "on the grounds of the National Mall". –  David Schwartz Aug 30, 2011 at 0:21

A Google Ngram charting the phrases "on grounds of national" (blue line) versus "on the grounds of national" (red line) shows that both phrasings have regularly appeared in published writing for more than a century, with "on grounds of national" holding a significant (though recently lessening) advantage since 1913:

That record of usage strongly suggests that both forms are widely accepted, and I don't detect any difference in sense between them. (As an aside, I checked many of the underlying Ngram Books matches to see whether "on the grounds of national" might be enjoying inflated results owing to instances of phrases like "on the grounds of national parks"—but I didn't encounter any such complicating results; the nouns associated with both search phrases were consistently such words as interest , policy , security , defense , origin , and unity .)

• A separate issue regarding "grounds" in the sense of "basis" involves the question of whether "ground" (singular) or "grounds" (plural) is preferable. See " on the grounds that " for the relevant discussion. –  Sven Yargs Mar 30, 2015 at 19:59

...[E]ight individuals have been deported on grounds of national security is correct. You can see the example sentence in Oxford advanced learner's dictionary.

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Sentence examples for on what grounds from inspiring English sources

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The principle of responsibility provides a central normative vantage point for deciding on what grounds one might justify which inequality.

On what grounds does one decide that objects deserve to be considered in moral deliberation?

On what grounds ?

Q: On what grounds ?

But on what grounds ?

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And on   what   grounds ?

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• on the grounds that

conjunction as in because

Weak matches

• as a result of
• as things go
• by cause of
• by reason of
• by virtue of
• considering
• for the reason that
• for the sake of
• in as much as
• in behalf of
• in the interest of

Discover More

Related words.

Words related to on the grounds that are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word on the grounds that . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

conjunction as in on account of

preposition as in on account of

On this page you'll find 28 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to on the grounds that, such as: as, as a result of, as long as, as things go, being, and by cause of.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

Thesaurus for On those grounds

Related terms for on those grounds - synonyms, antonyms and sentences with on those grounds, similar meaning.

• for the foregoing reasons
• for all these reasons
• for these reasons
• for this reason
• for those reasons
• this is why
• for that reason
• based on that
• based on this
• for such reasons
• which is why
• because of it
• because of that
• for the above reasons

Opposite meaning

• but despite that
• but for all that
• but in spite of that
• despite that
• even though
• for all that
• having said that
• in spite of that
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• notwithstanding
• still and all

Nothing suggested yet. Maybe you know some?

Sentence examples, proper usage in context.

• I am firmly opposed to the report on those grounds
• If you defend him on those grounds
• Many sentences had already been handed down on those grounds
• Perhaps this particular attack can be justified on those grounds
• Some confessions had been rejected on those grounds

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Definition of ground

 (Entry 1 of 4)

Definition of ground  (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

intransitive verb

Definition of ground  (Entry 3 of 4)

Definition of ground  (Entry 4 of 4)

past tense and past participle of grind

• premisses

Examples of ground in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ground.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English grund ; akin to Old High German grunt ground

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2b

1765, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ground

• break ground
• break new ground
• breeding ground
• burial ground
• common ground
• cover ground
• cover the ground
• dangerous ground / territory
• down to the ground
• dumping ground
• familiar ground
• feeding ground
• from the ground up
• gain ground
• gain ground on
• get in on the ground floor
• get off the ground
• give ground
• ground ball
• ground bass
• ground beef
• ground beetle
• ground burst
• ground - cherry
• ground cloth
• ground cover
• ground crew
• ground - effect machine
• ground floor
• ground forces
• ground glass
• ground level
• ground loop
• ground meristem
• ground pine
• ground plan
• ground rent
• ground rule
• ground sloth
• ground (someone) in
• ground speed
• ground squirrel
• ground staff
• ground state
• ground stroke
• ground substance
• ground swell
• ground transportation
• ground troops
• ground wave
• ground zero
• happy hunting ground
• have / keep one's feet on the ground
• high ground
• hit the ground
• hit the ground running
• in - ground
• in on the ground floor
• into the ground
• lose ground
• make up ground
• middle ground
• off the ground
• on dangerous ground
• on firm ground / footing
• on shaky ground
• on the ground
• parade ground(s)
• proving ground
• recreation ground
• rests on shaky ground
• road / ground clearance
• shift one's ground
• spawning ground
• staging ground
• stamping ground
• stand one's ground
• stand your ground law
• stomping ground
• stone - ground
• suit (someone) down to the ground
• testing ground
• the high ground
• the moral high ground
• thick on the ground
• thin on the ground
• wipe the ground with
• work (someone) into the ground
• worship the ground someone walks on

Articles Related to ground

The Floor/Ground Is (Lava)

A game (and meme) in which players must avoid touching the floor

Dictionary Entries Near ground

Cite this entry.

“Ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of ground.

 (Entry 1 of 3)

Kids Definition of ground  (Entry 2 of 3)

Kids Definition of ground  (Entry 3 of 3)

past and past participle of grind

Medical Definition

Medical definition of ground.

past and past part of grind

Legal Definition

Legal definition of ground.

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Legal Definition of ground  (Entry 2 of 2)

More from Merriam-Webster on ground

Nglish: Translation of ground for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of ground for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ground

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Donald Trump Is Going to Appeal. What Exactly Does That Mean?

An expert walks us through what could happen next..

Read our ongoing coverage of Donald Trump’s  first criminal trial here .

Donald Trump may have been convicted on Thursday, but there’s a long road ahead before he might face any punishment.

Soon after a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, Trump’s lead defense attorney, Todd Blanche, went on CNN and pledged to challenge the verdict. “I think the timing of this trial was really unfair to President Trump. There’s so much publicity around the witnesses and leading up to the trial.” On Friday, Trump piled on, holding a rambling news conference where he railed against the jurors, judge, and his guilty verdict. “This is a scam. There’s a rigged trial. It shouldn’t have been in that venue. We shouldn’t have had that judge,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, Justice Juan Merchan has scheduled Trump’s sentencing for July 11, but the appeals process could take years to play out in the courts. (And yes, Trump can still run and serve as president. ) To understand what might happen next, we asked Glenn Danas , an appellate expert and partner at Clarkson Law Firm, to break down the road ahead. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity:

Shirin Ali: Blanche went on CNN and said he would first challenge the jury’s verdict and then file a formal appeal. What does that mean?

Glenn Danas: It’s called a post-conviction briefing, and you can file a motion asking the court to vacate the jury’s award, saying that it was totally unsupported or irrational. Those kinds of motions don’t have a very high chance of succeeding, but they’re typically made to preserve issues for further appeal.

After Trump has been sentenced, his legal team can file a direct appeal to the First Judicial Department of New York’s Appellate Division, and they’ll also have 30 days to do that. And they can bring up all of the issues that they have—either with trial testimony, that it was prejudicial, or with failure to have allowed any evidence that Trump wanted to put on in his defense, or with jury instructions. All that can be raised and has to be raised in their appeal to the First Department.

I should say that the post-verdict briefing is quite likely to push out the deadline to file the appeal. When there’s a post-verdict briefing, if it’s not summarily rejected, the prosecution can respond to it, and the court could set a hearing on it. This would all likely push back both the sentencing and the deadline to file an appeal.

What options does Trump have to file an appeal to the jury’s verdict?

There are a couple of different ways that one can appeal. A direct appeal, which is what Trump will be filing if the post-verdict motions are not successful—which they probably won’t be—will happen after his sentencing. It will have to be limited to issues that are actually in the record and were properly preserved. Generally, if one is going to appeal an evidentiary ruling—that the court either let in something it shouldn’t have or it failed to let in something that it should have, anything along those lines—those rulings had to have been preserved for appeal by a contemporaneous objection. If Trump’s legal team didn’t object to something in a timely way—usually that means orally during a criminal trial and sometimes it can be by written motion—then it’s waived and can’t be appealed. They have to have been in the record, and that’s also the case for legal arguments.

I’m not certain how much was objected to regarding, let’s say, the jury instructions, but that would have to have been objected to at the time to preserve it for appeal. All of those issues have to be in the record to be appealable and are the basis for a potential success before the Appellate Division. The same would apply if Trump is saying Stormy Daniels’ testimony was unfair to him. In order for his defense attorneys to actually use her testimony as grounds for an appeal, Trump’s attorneys had to have objected to her testimony during the trial.

It’s really quite rigorous and part of why being a criminal defense lawyer is difficult. Part of the skill involved is being able to think on one’s feet and make those objections in a timely and accurate way to preserve them for appeal.

Will Trump have to pay a bond or face any type of punishment while his appeal plays out?

In a civil appeal, let’s say you lose a trial and there’s a monetary award against you. One would have to file a bond in order to stay the execution of that judgment—otherwise, while the appeal was pending, the defendant could execute on it and force you to pay whatever it is that you just lost. In the criminal context for Trump, there’s no money damages against him, so the issue will really be whether whatever he’s sentenced to is stayed pending the appeal. I think it’s unlikely that he’s going to get any incarceration time, given he doesn’t have a record and that these were nonviolent crimes. But if he were sentenced to any amount of jail time, he would then have to make a motion to the sentencing court asking to be released on his own recognizance or to be allowed a cash bail option in order to avoid going to jail or prison, pending the appeal.

How long could this appeals process take?

It’s hard to say exactly, but the first layer of the appeal, which is just to the First Department, I would expect to take about a year. If that appeal is unsuccessful, then after about a year, he would have an opportunity to file what’s called a leave application with the New York Court of Appeals, which is confusingly the name of New York’s highest court. The lowest court was where Trump was just convicted and is called the Supreme Court. The middle layer court is called the Appellate Division.

Since the Court of Appeals is the highest court, they don’t take cases as of right—so after Trump’s first layer of appeal, he may not get another appeal. He would have to ask the New York Court of Appeals to allow him to appeal, and if they grant his leave application, only then can he actually file an appellate briefing, saying, “I was denied my constitutional rights under either the New York Constitution or the U.S. Constitution.” He can also say there was some sort of failure to follow criminal procedure. The Court of Appeals would typically decide the leave application after three to five months, and if granted, then the appeal could take probably another year, maybe a little less. And if the Court of Appeals’ decision is adverse to Trump, he could then file a petition for certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court, and the basis for that would have to be limited to the U.S. Constitution, rather than New York law or the New York Constitution.

If Trump wins the November election, as president, can he overturn a state conviction against him?

I think this would be an issue that constitutional scholars would have different ideas about, whether the pardoning power or the clemency power extends to him. I don’t believe that he would actually be able to vacate the conviction.

If Trump is elected, but in jail, I think it’s more likely that he could allow himself to get out of jail. But I don’t believe that he would be able to vacate the conviction on the basis of him being in jail without the New York governor or the New York Court of Appeals agreeing to it first.

What do you think the likelihood of success is for any Trump appeal of this jury’s verdict?

When there’s any resolution against a criminal defendant, saying, “We’re going to appeal this!”—it’s very common and doesn’t really mean much. In Trump’s case, of course they’re going to say this. It’s really at the first level that there’s a fairly high possibility or relatively high possibility of getting a reversal or a vacatur. After this first layer, when the appeal moves on to the New York Court of Appeals or the United States Supreme Court, the odds are much, much lower.

If I were betting, I would put it at maybe a 40 percent likelihood of succeeding at the next level—which is when the appeal initially goes to the First Department—on at least one of the many bases that they’re going to assert. They’re probably going to have a dozen bases that they’ll figure out for appeal. If that level is unsuccessful, then I think that his odds before the New York Court of Appeals would be probably in the single digits, maybe at 10 percent, at most. And then if it goes to the Supreme Court, in this case, I would put it much lower than that, at probably 1 percent likelihood of success.

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Is Trump going to prison? What to know about the possible sentence after his conviction

By Kaia Hubbard

Updated on: May 31, 2024 / 6:48 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — Former President  Donald Trump was found guilty  on all charges in his New York "hush money" trial on Thursday, and the judge overseeing the case will soon venture into uncharted territory to determine whether a former president should be imprisoned for a felony conviction for the first time.

Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence before the 2016 presidential election. The jury in Manhattan returned its guilty verdict after a trial that stretched six weeks and featured more than 20 witnesses. 

Each of the 34 felony charges carries up to a $5,000 fine and four-year prison sentence. But whether Trump will go to prison is another question — one that's up to the judge at sentencing.

When will Trump be sentenced?

The judge set a July 11 date for sentencing following the jury's verdict on Thursday. 

The timing is in line with similar white-collar felony cases, where sentencing often takes place anywhere from three to eight weeks after conviction, according to Dan Horwitz, a defense lawyer who formerly prosecuted white-collar cases for the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

The sentencing will happen four days before the start of the Republican National Convention.

What to expect from sentencing

The minimum sentence for falsifying business records in the first degree is zero, so Trump could receive probation or conditional discharge, a sentence of no jail or up to four years for each offense. Trump would likely be ordered to serve the prison time concurrently for each count, so up to four years, total. 

"The judge could sentence him to anything between zero and the max," Horwitz said. "So he could sentence him to a period of months in jail, he could sentence him to a period of weeks in jail, he could sentence him to a sentence where he is required, for example, to go to jail every weekend for a period of time and then serve the rest of the sentence on probation."

In an analysis of comparable cases brought by the Manhattan district attorney's office, Norm Eisen, who has written a book about Trump's 2020 election-related federal indictment and served as special counsel in the first impeachment of the former president, found that about 10% resulted in imprisonment. But the circumstances surrounding the case make any across-the-board comparison difficult. 

Trump could also be sentenced to home detention, where he would wear an ankle bracelet and be monitored rather than going to jail. Horwitz suggested that a home detention sentence, which walks a middle ground between no punishment and a stint in state prison, might be the most likely outcome. It would also satisfy Trump's unusual security and political situation. 

A home detention sentence would also make it possible for Trump to continue campaigning — albeit virtually — with the ability to hold news conferences and remain active on social media. Throughout the trial, Justice Juan Merchan stressed the importance of allowing Trump the ability to campaign and exercise his First Amendment rights as he seeks another term in the White House . But it's just part of the equation that the judge must weigh in his decision. 

In an interview on CNN after the verdict, Trump attorney Todd Blanche was asked if he expected prosecutors to seek jail time. "I have no idea," Blanche replied. "Look, there's there's a system in place that that where you rely on precedent, and somebody like President Trump should never, never face a jail sentence based on this conduct."

What will the judge consider in Trump's sentencing?

There are a number of factors that the court can take into consideration for sentencing, including the nature and extent of the conduct, who was hurt, whether there are victims, and acceptance of responsibility, Horwitz said. Trump has repeatedly denied any guilt in the case.

"Courts will credit a defendant who pleads guilty by accepting responsibility for their conduct, as opposed to not accepting responsibility going into trial and getting convicted," Horwitz added, saying that "the sentence after a trial because you didn't accept responsibility is more stringent than it would have otherwise been."

A defendant's conduct during the trial may also play a role, so Trump's repeated violation of Merchan's gag order may be a significant factor in his sentencing. During the trial, Trump was accused over a dozen times of violating a gag order preventing him from making public comments about likely witnesses, jurors, attorneys and court staff involved in the case. 

Trump's sentencing may also be complicated by the lifetime Secret Service protection that he's afforded as a former president. The issue came up during the trial, when the judge held Trump in contempt for violating a gag order . Though Trump faced multiple fines, the judge expressed that jailing Trump was "the last thing I want to do" because it would have disrupted the trial and presented challenges for the Secret Service agents tasked with protecting the former president. 

"Today's outcome has no bearing on the manner in which the United States Secret Service carries out its protective mission," the Secret Service said in a statement provided to CBS News following the verdict. "Our security measures will proceed unchanged."  

Trump's imprisonment would likely need to include a rotation of Secret Service officers, and he would need to be isolated from other inmates. The former president's food and personal items would likely need to be screened for his protection, among other logistical considerations. 

"For all settings around the world, we study locations and develop comprehensive and layered protective models that incorporate state of the art technology, protective intelligence and advanced security tactics to safeguard our protectees," Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service's chief of communications, said before the verdict. 

No U.S. prison has ever previously had to deal with the possible imprisonment of a former president. Horwitz said there are mechanisms for inmates in protective custody at state correctional facilities and jails, but how the process would actually work remains to be seen. 

After Trump's conviction on Thursday, the Secret Service said in a new statement that "today's outcome has no bearing on the manner in which the United States Secret Service carries out its protective mission. Our security measures will proceed unchanged." 

Where could Trump be imprisoned?

Should Trump be sentenced to a period of home detention, the former president could carry out the sentence outside of New York, for instance, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where New York state would coordinate with Florida's probation department, which would monitor Trump's confinement, Horwitz said. 

In the event that Trump is sentenced to jail time, the location would depend on the duration of his sentence.

If Trump faces more than one year in jail, New York law requires that his sentence be served in a New York penal facility. But if his sentence is shorter than a year, it would be served in a New York City correctional facility, such as Rikers Island. 

What comes next? 

Trump could seek to stay the execution of any sentence pending appeal, meaning that he wouldn't have to start serving the sentence until an appeals court makes a decision, which is not uncommon in white collar cases in New York federal courts, Horwitz said. The move could delay any jail time until the election — or even beyond.

In any case, though possible imprisonment raises some hurdles for Trump's presidential campaign, his conviction does not restrict him from continuing to run — even if he's behind bars.

Olivia Rinaldi and Jake Rosen contributed reporting.

• Donald Trump

Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.

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Bison gores 83-year-old woman at Yellowstone, lifts her a foot off the ground

Park officials say the bison was 'defending its space' when it gored the woman, lifting her a foot off the ground. the extent of her injuries is unclear but she's being treated at a local hospital..

A bison has gored an 83-year-old South Carolina woman at Yellowstone National Park, using its horns to lift her about a foot off the ground, according to park officials.

The woman was seriously injured in the Saturday incident and taken to a nearby hospital, the National Park Service said in a news release. They did not provide a status update on the woman but USA TODAY was working to reach the hospital on Monday.

An investigation is underway.

Bison was 'defending its space'

The bison was "defending its space" when it came within a few feet of the woman and gored her, the park service said.

Officials urge park visitors to remain more than 25 yards away from bison and to keep distance from wildlife that approaches them.

"Wild animals can be aggressive if people don't respect their space. When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot or in a developed area, give it space," the service said.

Bison injuries at Yellowstone

Despite not being aggressive animals, bison have injured more people than any other animal at Yellowstone, the service reported. If their space is threatened, they can be unpredictably dangerous.

Last July, a bison gored a 47-year-old woman from Phoenix  during bison mating season, which runs from mid-July to mid-August. The extent of her injuries was not released.

In June 2022, a bull bison gored a 34-year-old man from Colorado , injuring his arm, after a similar incident occurred to a 25-year-old woman from Ohio a month prior. The woman suffered a puncture wound and other injuries when the bison gored her and threw her 10 feet in the air.

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Trump Has Been Convicted. Can He Still Run for President?

The Constitution and U.S. law have clear answers for only some of the questions raised by the criminal conviction of a major presidential candidate.

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By Maggie Astor

• June 5, 2024

Not since Eugene V. Debs campaigned from a prison cell more than a century ago has the United States experienced what is now happening: a prominent candidate with felony convictions running for president. And never before has that candidate been someone with a real chance of winning.

A Manhattan jury convicted former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday of falsifying business records to cover up a hush-money payment to a porn star. He has been charged with dozens of other felonies across three additional cases : two federal and one in Georgia .

For now, he faces no formal campaign restrictions, and he remains highly competitive in polls. But his sentencing on the New York convictions is approaching, on July 11, the other cases are still looming, and the Constitution and U.S. law have clear answers for only some of the questions that have arisen and may still arise.

Others could bring the country into truly uncharted territory, with huge decisions resting in the hands of federal judges.

Here is what we know, and what we don’t know.

Can Trump still run after his conviction?

This is the simplest question of the bunch. The answer is yes.

The Constitution sets very few eligibility requirements for presidents. They must be at least 35 years old, be “natural born” citizens  and have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

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Everyone must take climate action, but people and countries creating more of the problem have a greater responsibility to act first.

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Climate action requires significant financial investments by governments and businesses. But climate inaction is vastly more expensive. One critical step is for industrialized countries to fulfil their commitment to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries so they can adapt and move towards greener economies.

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