Leading Republicans are preparing for the possibility that Trump will end up in prison if he accepts the Republican nomination

Now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, there is a chance he could go to prison—and leading Republicans have privately said they are preparing for the possibility of him being in jail during the Republican National Committee (RNC) convention.

Just four days before the convention, Trump is sentenced in New York by Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the hush money trial. The former president faces prison, probation, fines or other penalties.

“The Republicans, the leading Republicans in this country, tell me in confidence that they are not ruling out the possibility that Trump could be in prison if he accepts the nomination,” said Robert Costa, a reporter for CBS News, Face the nation Host Margaret Brennan on Sunday.

Trump, who has all but won the RNC nomination, could find himself in a difficult position in July if Judge Merchan imposes the harshest sentence: four years in prison.

“Former President Trump still faces a logistical nightmare,” Costa said.

Todd Blanche, Trump's lawyer, reportedly told Costa that he did not rule out a prison sentence.

Most likely, Trump will not face any prison time, as first-time offenders convicted of similar crimes (Class E) are rarely sentenced to prison. Given Trump's status as a former president and current candidate, such a decision would cause complications and could have an impact on political tensions in the country.

Instead, Judge Merchan could impose fines or suspended sentences – which could still impact voters’ perceptions of the former president.

CBS News polls found that 85 percent of Republicans say loyalty to Trump is important, while 15 percent said it is unimportant. Although it's a small percentage, Trump and President Joe Biden – the likely Democratic nominee – are very close in the polls.

“There's a real concern that some traditional Republicans, suburban Republicans, might look at someone being called a convicted felon and say, 'I really can't go along with that,' even though that motivates so many of Trump's closest supporters,” Costa said.