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MattP

(3,304 posts) Mon Apr 9, 2018, 05:14 PM Apr 2018

Eric Schneiderman should start a case file on Cohen right now before Trump can pardon or even think

5 replies

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Eric Schneiderman should start a case file on Cohen right now before Trump can pardon or even think (Original Post) MattP Apr 2018 OP

Before [Redacted] can even think? Okay, he's got until the Sun becomes a black hole, then... n/t TygrBright Apr 2018 #1

My understanding is that this is all within the southern district of New York... phleshdef Apr 2018 #2

Southern District of NY is still the federal prosecutor, unfortunately... Wounded Bear Apr 2018 #4

He probably already does have one... Wounded Bear Apr 2018 #3

It's legally WAY too dangerous for Trump to pardon people. Here's why: DetlefK Apr 2018 #5

TygrBright

(20,760 posts)

1. Before [Redacted] can even think? Okay, he's got until the Sun becomes a black hole, then... n/t

Reply to MattP (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2018, 05:15 PM

Apr 2018

phleshdef

(11,936 posts)

2. My understanding is that this is all within the southern district of New York...

Reply to MattP (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2018, 05:16 PM

Apr 2018

...therefore Trump can't pardon shit.

Wounded Bear

(58,662 posts)

4. Southern District of NY is still the federal prosecutor, unfortunately...

Reply to phleshdef (Reply #2)

Mon Apr 9, 2018, 05:18 PM

Apr 2018

but if Trump starts laying out blanket pardons for his minions, all but his most devoted will dump him like last nights pizza box.

Wounded Bear

(58,662 posts)

3. He probably already does have one...

Reply to MattP (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2018, 05:17 PM

Apr 2018

Cohen has been operating in NYC real estate for quite a while, and he apparently has the requisite Russian ties you need to work in Trumpland.

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

5. It's legally WAY too dangerous for Trump to pardon people. Here's why:

Reply to MattP (Original post)

Mon Apr 9, 2018, 05:28 PM

Apr 2018

Trump cannot simply pardon someone. Trump has to OFFER the pardon and the other person must formally ACCEPT the pardon.

But here we come to the little problem that ACCEPTING a presidential pardon counts legally as an ADMISSION OF GUILT. (e.g. read up on Trump's pardon for Joe Arpaio)

So, if Trump pardons Cohen and Cohen accepts that, the state-level prosecutor who picks up the case can argue in court that Cohen has essentially already admitted guilt.

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