Fasten your seatbelts: End of Year Pardons

[no_hypocrisy]

Like his predecessors, Trump has the prerogative to pardon both convicted and prospective criminals. So far, he's pardoned Sheriff Joe Arpaio and a former Iowa slaughterhouse executive. (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2017/12/20/president-trump-commutes-sentence-sholom-rubashkin-ex-iowa-slaughterhouse-executive/971291001/). *

Watch for the Friday/New Year's News dump this week. Will it be Michael Flynn? Manafort? His son-in-law? Himself?

* On Edit, the latter was a commutation of sentence, not a full presidential pardon. My bad . . . .

[Kingofalldems]

1. If he pardons Flynn and Manafort, then what?

[malaise]

2. I guess that's why Mueller is waiting for the New Year for

some fresh indictments.

[Siwsan]

3. How can he pardon someone for crimes in which he, himself, may be involved?

And/Or benefitted from.

[WPB_dem]

5. Because the Constitution places very few limitations on the Presidential Power to grant a pardon

The only limits are that the crime must be a federal offense (i.e., not civil or state cases) and that they cannot affect an impeachment process

I can't recall any successful challenges to a Presidential pardon.

Several recent pardons have been controversial:
Chelsea Manning
Marc Rich

and, of course, Richard Nixon

Repubs would have surely liked to block pardons for Manning and Rich.

[Siwsan]

9. I guess I'm 'fuzzy' as to what constitutes a federal offence

Colluding with an adversarial foreign power to throw an election sure seems federal-ish, to me but then I think there are a WHOLE LOT of constitutional issues that need tightening up. I'd start with qualifications to run for office.

BTW, Welcome to DU.

[WPB_dem]

10. I agree with you ...

But Gen Flynn wasn't convicted (actually he plead guilty) of colluding with a foreign power. He plead to lying to the FBI.

Technically a different offense.

I suspect Pres Trump will pardon him, but not this year. I believe he will pardon him next year as he resigns the Presidency to deal with personal, business, or health issues. I think the two-year point will allow him to convince himself that he accomplished everything he wanted to do.

The Republicans will gladly accommodate his wish to exit.

[Siwsan]

11. I also suspect he is going to find an excuse to resign

Even someone with his bloated ego has to realize, on some level, that he is in WAY over his head. My wish is that this whole nightmare is going to permanently destroy his and his family's 'brands' and everyone's life goes on a fast, steep, downward spiral. No doubt he will maintain supporters, for a while, but in time he will also turn on and blame them for his situation.

And perhaps there will be a 'The Learning Channel' reality show in the family's future.

[dalton99a]

4. I think he'll do it - to throw a monkey wrench at the Mueller investigation

[malaise]

6. I double dare him

I'm sure Mueller will charge them again for other crimes - and if not Mueller, local and state are waiting for them.

[Thekaspervote]

7. Mueller has made his indictments of Flynn, manafort and gates pardon proof

Flynn's indictment plea deal clearly states that he/Flynn will also face any local or state charges if so deemed but prosecutors. Dodart has no ability to pardon on state or local levels. Manafort and gates charges were not all of what they could charge them with. NY AG Eric Schneiderman has them in his sights for money laundering, as well as Flynn.

Mueller is toooooo smart to have dodart and his ilk wave of a pen and undo all his work

[world wide wally]

8. If he does pardon Flynn and Manaforts, I think Schneidermnan will file charges in NY

Not sure about the timing.
He is also likely to hire Mueller if Trump fires him.

[Rene]

12. sshush drumpf's golfing..maybe he'll forget about a Presidential task