What I think the Trump Team is doing with this "I can pardon myself" trash....

[Honeycombe8]

They're running it up the flagpole to see how the Republicans in Congress react. To get a feel for whether they'll go along with it.

It's also to distract, and to desperately look for a way out of this dilemma. It's always about that.

But we know he sends messages through his statements and behavior. The recent pardon was a message to Cohen. Now this theory implying he's above the law, that the Mueller investigation is unconstitutional, that he can end the investigation at any time, that he can pardon himself...that's a message to the Senate and House Republicans. Will you go along with this? Will you fight it? Will you do it, if I demand it? How afraid of me are you?

So far, Grassley is the only Repub who has indicated the Trump theory is garbage, that I've heard. But maybe he's the only one who has been asked.

But the thing is, even if he must obey the law technically, if there is no one who will do anything about it, doesn't that mean he does not have to obey the law in a practical way?

The Republicans won't do anything. Unlike with Nixon, when the Republicans told Nixon they would impeach him if he didn't resign, there is no group of Republicans who will do that here.

[dhol82]

1. Totally agree

He and his crew throw shit against the wall to see what will stick.
That is what they will then run with.
Disgusting.

[quartz007]

2. They are using distraction tactics

to take attention away from real problems facing real people.

And sadly the media is falling for the distraction of self-pardon.
That is the main topic on every cable channel today.

[notdarkyet]

3. I might be wrong but my info says this twenty pages went in Jan. To Mueller? I don't think it

Stuck. Maybe the special guys thought it was a funny joke..and here we go again throwing it out there, because stupid repubs will believe anything. Especially about trumps special powers. This is a big problem with our country, people Embrace being ignorant.

[underpants]

4. I agree on the D.C. side but I think is more meant for Foxworld

They will hear this repeatedly. The presenter may not even endorse it but the believers will hear it a lot. Repetition is key. The news/radio presenters who do endorse it will sell as STRENGTH and of course have some victimization too.

[Honeycombe8]

12. True...it's also a whistle to his supporters to keep the faith. All is not lost. nt

[Snackshack]

5. Yep.

It’s a “trial ballon” no pun intended.

Toss it out there and see what the reaction is. Depending on that reaction you either drop it or not...but that is what this normally is when normal people do it. Since this is trump and he seems to do what everyone says not to do and not do what everyone says to do I could see him typing this up himself already.

[Quixote1818]

6. It also seems like a preemptive strike

If they know it's coming down the pike maybe they are thinking if they bring up the subject and people start talking about it and get side tracked, then when he actually ends up in big trouble it won't seem like as big a deal because people have been talking about all this for weeks. It's a way to cushion the blow.

[RainCaster]

7. And tRump can use both hands to pleasure himself. BFD.

None of us will care. Just lock the loser up and throw away the key.

[Volaris]

8. They're not doing that YET.

If we take the House, there's more pressure on them as individuals to go along with a proposed impeachment effort, as NOT doing that will further jeopardize their chances of keeping their seat in the next Presidential election cycle.
By that time, ALL of the crimes will have been laid bare, more peeps usually turn out for an on-year election, and a Democrat controlled House won't be much inclined to take any shit from the GOPs in the Senate.
It'll be 'get on board with Patriotism, or get killed in the general.

[Garrett78]

9. I don't think going along with impeachment would increase their chances of winning re-election.

The Trump base is the Republican base, and that base will not approve of anyone who takes a stand against their lord and savior.

[Volaris]

10. I would agree if it were an off-year election.

It won't be, it will be a presidential, and more people turn out than will THIS November. That by itself trends the election (overall) in Dems favor.

[Garrett78]

11. But that doesn't mean people will vote for a Republican because he/she went along with impeachment.

I suppose there could be some swing voters who decide to vote for a Republican for that reason, but I don't think there'd be enough to make a difference.

I don't think our predictions really matter, though. Time will tell how many Republicans (who aren't retiring) are willing to take a stand against Trump.

[Honeycombe8]

14. It won't be a Presidential election year.

It would probably be 2019, I should think.

Oh, I see what you mean. Never mind.

[Honeycombe8]

13. Hmmm...not sure about that. Legitimate Repubs would forgive them, but not the extremists. nt