Bill Press: Trump's final presidential pardon: himself

[babylonsister]

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/507070-press-trumps-final-presidential-pardon-himself


Press: Trump's final presidential pardon: himself
By Bill Press, Opinion Contributor — 07/14/20 07:15 AM EDT


Jan. 20, 2021. EXCLUSIVE TO THE HILL: According to official documents obtained by our team of White House correspondents, President Trump’s last official act as president, just minutes before leaving the White House to head directly for Mar-A-Lago, pointedly boycotting incoming President Joe Biden’s Inauguration, was to issue one final presidential pardon.

In a brief written statement, Trump said, “Under absolute powers bestowed on me as president under Article II of the Constitution, I am awarding a full prospective, presidential pardon to the person who has been the most unfairly investigated and persecuted by our corrupt system of justice: Donald J. Trump.”

Donald Trump pardons himself? Don’t laugh. Admit it. You know as well as I, that’s exactly where this whole clown show is headed. I’m not a betting man, but I’d bet the ranch on this one: that somewhere in White House counsel Pat Cipollone’s office is a file on presidential self-pardons. The historical and legal research has already been done. The plan’s already in place. And the commutation of Roger Stone is only Trump’s first step in carrying out that plan.

snip//

First step: Deny the legitimacy of the Trump-Russia investigation by branding it a Democratically-inspired “witch hunt.” Blame it on Ukraine, instead. Get Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to hold Senate hearings. Tell Bill Barr to conduct his own DOJ investigation. All underway.

Second step: Do whatever’s necessary to secure the loyalty of anybody on the inside who could tell the truth. Buy Roger Stone’s silence with a commutation. Promise a pardon to Michael Flynn, if he needs it. Fire the U.S. attorney for New York to keep Rudy Giuliani from having to testify under oath. Again, all underway.

Trump’s third and absolutely certain final step: Get ready to pardon himself. He knows he has to do it. He will do it. It’s not a question of if, but of when.

[MyOwnPeace]

1. You would have to be

naive to NOT believe that this could happen.

[sunonmars]

2. I would quite think if he tried that, Biden would have him arrested, the second he became President

Trump arrested just as he walked out of the WH would be just great TV.

[PJMcK]

3. Jumping ahead

If Trump pardons himself but Biden tries to go after him anyway, it seems lie a case that will ultimately have to be decided by the Supreme Court since the decision would involve and interpretation of Presidential Pardon powers.

More chaos and delay! Just what Trump wants.

[mnmoderatedem]

4. doesn't he have to be found guilty of something first in order to be pardoned?

is the thought process that he will quickly plead guilty of a myriad of charges and then pardon himself as he leaves office?

There's nothing specific right now.

[babylonsister]

7. Well, he was impeached.

That doesn't happen to innocent people.

[lagomorph777]

11. The Constitution explicitly excludes impeachment cases from being pardonable.

[Nevilledog]

8. No, they can do a blanket pardon for any and all federal crimes.

Think of Nixon. He was pardoned although never charged.

[beachbumbob]

5. can't have pardons for state crimes, so trump can do whatever at federal level

[themaguffin]

9. Regardless, there must be accountability. Yes, Biden will have a lot to repair, but this

can't be ignored.

[global1]

10. Well If Trump - Up To This Time Hadn't Thought Of Giving Himself A Pardon.....

Last edited Tue Jul 14, 2020, 08:17 PM - Edit history (1)

The fact that it has now been suggested that he would do this and it's out of the bag in the media - Trump will say to himself - "They expect this of me now. They've suggested ways in which this can be pulled off. I might as well do it."

Ahh - the power of suggestion!!!!

[lagomorph777]

12. He's been talking about it almost since he got into office.

That doesn't make it possible however, anymore than testing as a cause of COVID is possible.

[Paladin]

13. OF COURSE he'll pardon himself. Why would anybody doubt it?

The only sad thing is that he won't resign and pardon himself this afternoon.