Trump pardoning himself would be "arrogant statement of power," Newt Gingrich says

[DonViejo]

Source: CBS News



By EMILY TILLETT CBS NEWS June 5, 2018, 8:40 AM

Former House Speaker and Trump ally Newt Gingrich warned President Trump against pardoning himself should special counsel Robert Mueller pursue charges in the ongoing Russia investigation, telling "CBS This Morning" on Tuesday that it would be an "arrogant statement of power" if he did so.

"I don't think he can pardon himself, that would lead to a reaction in the Congress that would be devastating," Gingrich said.

Gingrich's comments come after Mr. Trump declared Monday that he has the "absolute right" to pardon himself, but added he had done nothing wrong. The president asserted his presidential power as the White House is honing its political and legal defenses against the special counsel's Russia probe. Gingrich, however, said that Congress has the "absolute right to impeach him."

"If a president was dumb enough to pardon himself, that would be such an arrogant statement of power that the House would probably impeach him in a week and the Senate would convict him," Gingrich said.


Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/newt-gingrich-trump-pardoning-himself-would-be-arrogant-statement-of-power/

[Thomas Hurt]

1. So is murder...

[jayschool2013]

2. Newt

If anyone knows "arrogant," it's the Newt.

[Scarsdale]

12. Very true.

His 3rd. wife, the frozen faced Calista got a very cushy job as Ambassador to the Vatican. Newticles should be thankful and just kiss tRump's orange, flabby arse. Gingrich acts as though his statements are important. He was forced out of office, yet continues to represent himself as some sort of honorable politician. Adulterous wart has much in common with the bloated, vile, uncouth CLASSLESS tRump.

[jayschool2013]

15. Standing Ovation

[Canoe52]

3. An arrogant statement of power says mr. arrogant...

[bucolic_frolic]

4. And then Trump would claim power to pardon the impeachment

it never ends! It's an endless display of rampant ego and stupidity!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

5. Trump THINKS he has done nothing wrong......

DICKtator Donnie has no idea what Robert Mueller has on him.

Inquiring minds would like to know.

[Eliot Rosewater]

6. Reaction in congress? I doubt it, this congress would pretend it didnt happen.

[Cosmocat]

10. YEP

I can guarentee that if the House was still in R hands, it would not even get a vote.

IF there were enough Ds, and you know a few would peel off ... It might get past the House, but I have a hard time seeing more than dozen R senators voting to fully impeach him, so you would need at least 55 Ds, and we aren't going to see that in 45s first term.

That is a big part of why I don't see him being prosecuted while in Oval Office.

[lagomorph777]

17. Impeachment is mathematically impossible, given the theoretically available seats.

But I firmly believe that indicting the President is explicitly allowed by the Constitution:

The Constitution, Article I, Section 3:
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachments shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust, or Profit under the United States, but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment, and Punishment, according to Law.

It's as clear as day: Article I Section 3 is inclusive, not exclusive. Indictment is absolutely, explicitly, clearly allowed. Don't let Turd's apologists tell you otherwise.

[C_U_L8R]

7. ...he said with a slight bit of drool hanging from his lip

Gingrich loves this megalomaniac shit

[rickford66]

8. And Newt reverses his opinion in 10 .. 9 .. 8 ..

[Faygo Kid]

9. Goodbye to your Hannity gig, Newt.

Of course, if you want tokiss Sean's ring (or a more personal part of his anatomy), all may yet be forgiven. This is Fox News, after all.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Gingrich BUILT the modern lunatic fringe GOP

THAT is your creation you idiot. You birthed it, nurtured it, fed it, bathed it, and encouraged more and more crazy shit out of it day after day after day until it was completely engulfed. And THIS is the result.

[Gothmog]

13. Newt is an expert on arrogance

[Schedule]

14. It would Unconstitutional

Plain and simple.

[lagomorph777]

16. ...and Newt Gangrene knows plenty about arrogant statements of power!