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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPREDICTION: Not Only Will Trump Attempt To Pardon Himself, It Will be
A ridiculous, over the top pardon, that will seek to pardon him from all crimes, past, present and future at any level of Government, Federal, state, city and local etc. Just watch. It will be ridiculous on every level and laughable, but I predict he will try something like that. Watch.
tetedur
(820 posts)Skraxx
(2,981 posts)Happy Hoosier
(7,386 posts)He might get away with it... which would eliminate the concept of equal justice under law.
NYC Liberal
(20,136 posts)before pardoning himself. I dont think even this Supreme Court would allow self pardons, if only because Democrats could do it too.
doc03
(35,364 posts)while he is at it.
Kablooie
(18,641 posts)5 to 4
bullimiami
(13,103 posts)I think this above the obvious reason that it is an insane notion antithetical to the fundamentals of the usa.
Oh and also it makes the court, a supposed co-equal branch, subservient to the president. power they will not want to relinquish.
magicarpet
(14,167 posts)Some on the USSC gratefully thank trDumpie for the lifetime appointment.
andym
(5,445 posts)The only textual reference is that a President can pardon except in cases of impeachment. The President shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. Textually the argument can be made that the President can self-pardon. But have no doubt that the Founders would never have sanctioned allowing self-pardons for the President because the power of self-pardon would be one of the powers akin to kingship, a role that the founders rejected for the office of President. It will be originalism vs textualism for the SC conservative majority.
PJMcK
(22,048 posts)The Constitution says that the president may "grant" pardons. In other parts of the Consitution, the word "grant" implies giving something to another person. In other words, one cannot grant something to one's self. So, originalism and textualism are the same thing in this instance.
I agree with you that SCOTUS will not cut themselves off at the knees by supporting a self-pardon. Actually, I really don't think SCOTUS will have to weigh in because I think Trump will make a deal with Pence and resign so Pence can pardon him. After all, a self-pardon is pretty sketchy legally and if it were deemed un-Constitutional, Trump would face all kinds of legal troubles and he wouldn't have the powers to protect himself. (And I don't think President Biden would grant Trump a pardon "for the good of the country." )
stevil
(1,537 posts)He gets to spend other people's money to do it. If not all bets are off.
AleksS
(1,665 posts)I hereby proclaim myself pardoned from every FAKE CRIME the crazy democrat party ever accuses me of along with the FAKE NEWS that hates me and hates America bigly.
I can see it.
Skraxx
(2,981 posts)Falsely accused me of. I hereby proclaim I am the most honest, innocent person ever. There's no one more honest than I am and I can never be accused of anything because there is no one more honest and innocent than me. I hereby proclaim this for now and forever and this can never be disputed by anyone, because they are all terrible, horrible people who hate this country. I mean they really hate it. I love this country. Have you seen me hug the flag? See? I love this country. I'm innocent. Forever. Hereby."
50 Shades Of Blue
(10,043 posts)safeinOhio
(32,715 posts)and then refuse to accept it. Theres a loop hole in there.
TDale313
(7,820 posts)KBlagburn
(567 posts)that he doesn't know that to accept a pardon, one must admit guilt of a crime.