NYT: Trump Is Said to Have Discussed Pardoning Himself

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/us/politics/trump-self-pardon.html

The discussions occurred in recent weeks, and it was not clear whether he has brought it up since he incited a mob of supporters to attack the Capitol.

By Michael S. Schmidt and Maggie Haberman

Jan. 7, 2021, 3:03 p.m. ET

President Trump has suggested to aides he wants to pardon himself in the final days of his presidency, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions, a move that would mark one of the most extraordinary and untested uses of presidential power in American history.

In several conversations since Election Day, Mr. Trump has told advisers that he is considering giving himself a pardon and, in other instances, asked whether he should and what the impact would be on him legally and politically, according to the two people. It was not clear whether he has broached the topic since he incited his supporters on Wednesday to storm the Capitol in a mob attack.

Mr. Trump has shown signs that his level of interest in pardoning himself goes beyond idle musings. He has long maintained he has the power to pardon himself and his polling of aides’ views is typically a sign that he is preparing to follow through on his aims. He has also become increasingly convinced that his perceived enemies will use the levers of law enforcement to target him after he leaves office.

No president has pardoned himself, so the legitimacy of prospective self-clemency has never been tested in the justice system and legal scholars are divided about whether the courts would recognize it. But they agree a presidential self-pardon could create a dangerous new precedent for presidents to unilaterally declare they are above the law and to insulate themselves from being held accountable for any crimes they committed in office.

[jcgoldie]

1. Might as well try it.

Can't trust Mama's boy Pence!

[Blue Owl]

2. Pardon yourself? How about go fuck yourself Donny you fat piece of shit

[Thekaspervote]

3. Pardons are an admission of guilt..but that he thinks doesn't apply to him!

[Jarqui]

4. If they impeach him, the cannot pardon himself for that if convicted.

I'd like to see him impeached again regardless.

We didn't hold Nixon to account.

We need to hold these people accountable as a deterrent for the future.

[MrsMatt]

5. And?

This is a surprise?