Just FYI: That Letter From Flynn's Lawer Is NOT A Request For Immunity. It's A DEMAND For A Pardon.

[TrollBuster9090]

Gen. Flynn's lawyer's letter starts out saying:

“General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it.”

It then goes on to list the details of his honorable military record.

This letter was not a request for immunity. It was a THREAT. Flynn wants Trump to pull a GERALD FORD, and GRANT HIM A RETROACTIVE PARDON, or he'll sing to Congress. By listing his honorable military record, he's handing Trump the cover to do it. All Cheeto-Caligula has to do is waddle out to the podium, and say that, while General Flynn did a few bad things, he's served the country with honor for 30 years. And he deserves a Presidential pardon for any and all crimes he might have committed over the last year. (And hopefully he'll actually remember to SIGN it this time. Unlike that executive order he forgot to sign today.)

If he does that, this is over. The FBI will have no leverage over Flynn, who would otherwise be their lynch pin.

If Nixon had done that with Liddy and his gang, that would have taken the steam out of the Watergate investigation, and he wouldn't have had to resign. A lesson that probably wasn't lost on Bannon.

[Achilleaze]

1. No doubt the GOP would give them both a Standing O

for making it easier for Russia to continue it's Acts of War* against the United States of America.

The Republicans are failing the country, and not lifting a finger to halt or prevent Russia's attacks on America, American democracy, and the American people.

What the hell, the republican Senatorial caucus gave a Standing O to republican Senator David Vitter for having diaper sex with high-rolling hookers. So there's not much doubt that the GOP would also applaud IOKIYAR Pardons (wink, wink) for these screaming glaring criminal acts of treason against the USA.

* Per Dick Cheney

[TrollBuster9090]

3. I'm thinking the person who is dreading a Flynn pardon the most is Oliver North.

Per WINGNUT WELFARE RETIREMENT RULES:

If you served your plutocrat masters loyally, and were....

A) Reasonably dignified, you get a Chair at the American Enterprise Institute, and a seat on the Board of an oil company.

B) A crook or a clown, you get a PUNDIT gig at Faux News.

I can see them booting Oliver North out, and turning over his 'military pundit' gig to Flynn.

[gordianot]

2. They must have Flynn on tape.

Does Trump have the intestinal fortitude of Gerald Ford? Will 2018 be a Republican disaster? Who will eat the next polonium sandwich?

[TrollBuster9090]

5. At this point I'm honestly worried Rachel maddow is going to accidentally eat

some polonium sushi. I hope MSNBC has assigned her a freaking body guard!

[gordianot]

7. ....or develop fast acting cancer.

I would guess she avoids small planes. Trump seems to have alienated those assets in America with the know how.

[dewsgirl]

27. I am deeply concerned for her

[Me.]

32. Really?

For reporting what others are uncovering?

[TrollBuster9090]

34. I worry about them, too.

About half the reporters at the NYT should be worried about 'accidentally' stepping out into traffic.

[PearliePoo2]

4. Holy crap, I think you're right.

But can he pardon someone even for TREASON? if BLOTUS is impeached, would his pardon still stand?
oh fuck, I'm feeling sick.

[TrollBuster9090]

6. Not sure about treason. But I'd think the pardon would stand.

But I don't know.

I guess they've got other people they're investigating, too. Trump might have to write a LOT of pardons!

[lastlib]

12. Presidential pardon power is virtually absolute.

Yes, Flynn could be pardoned for treason, and it would stand even with impeachment.

That said, I think it would be political hara-kiri for Tinyhands and the GOPee if he did it. I don't think voters would take kindly to it.

[bullimiami]

15. But only for Federal crimes. So you find a way for a State to charge him. Or States.

[Jonny Appleseed]

31. Could end up at the supreme courts

I'm sure a good lawyer could poke holes in presidential quid pro quo pardons. It'd be different than Ford, who wanted to protect Nixon. This would be Trump wanting to protect Trump by obstructing justice.

[caroldansen]

8. Either way we win. If he gives a pardon everyone will know just how cheap and low trump is

and that crime means nothing to him. All his supporters will finally have to believe the truth
about trump.

[SticksnStones]

10. I want to lol...but it's just so sad. 😳

Last edited Sat Apr 1, 2017, 10:27 AM - Edit history (1)

No they won't. This is the crowd that believes the earth is 6,000 yrs old..that the moon landing and Sandy Hook never happened...that Reagan was a great president and gays are sinful mistakes...

They'd blog about how presidential he looked issuing said pardon.

And truth will have nothing to do with it.

[exboyfil]

19. Yes

George H. W. Bush suffered little back lash over his self dealing of the Iran Contra conspirators.

[diva77]

9. but what about Sally Yates' testimony and the document evidence preserved by Obama?

You really think everything hinges on Flynn's testimony/or lack thereof?

[BannonsLiver]

33. It doesn't

This is another "Dems can't win. It's hopeless." thread. Pay it no mind.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. He won't and it would not. Though you may be right about the letter being a demand for a pardon.

tRump won't pardon Flynn, at least not until it is too late anyway, perhaps as part of a mass pardon.

Even if he did, the investigation is not over and it wouldn't stop and that wouldn't "take the steam out of it".

I think perhaps you over-rate Flynn's usefulness. The Senate Committee is not taking him up on his request for immunity. Perhaps they are wanting to make him even more desperate and get him to up the ante or offer more proof. Or perhaps they already can go around him.

[sharedvalues]

13. FBI has electronic communication evidence

I don't think they need Flynn.


Trump won't pardon Flynn because I think doing that would get him impeached immediately.


What I'm worried about is when eventually and inevitably Trump is impeached, he pardons everyone on the way out the door.

[greymattermom]

14. but Trump is mean

and if he is impeached, he will want the whole show to go down with him.

[thesquanderer]

16. I think a pardon at this point would be of limited value.

While it might offer Nunes protection against penalties for past indiscretions, I don't think it would have any effect on the investigation of related matters. AFAIK, Congress could still compel testimony if they wanted it; and a prior pardon would not protect him from future acts of perjury.

[PearliePoo2]

17. So basically, it's like the letter was really telegraphed to get Trump's immediate attention!

Flynn is telling him he knows where all the bodies are buried and if he doesn't "fix" this for him, he'll sing his treacherous guts out and take Trump down.
Ball's now in your court, Trumpy.
Jeezus, I sure hope the Intelligence people are two steps ahead of all these traitorous assholes.

[Demsrule86]

18. No he would be impeached sooner...and so will Camerad Trump if he tries it.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

20. Impeached by who though?

Would Republicans impeach one of their own? I can't see it.

[Demsrule86]

21. They won't have a choice at that point.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

23. I'll believe it when I see it. I don't think they're capable of that.

[Demsrule86]

24. I think the GOP will do it in the end.

He is unpopular and there may be a couple who care about the country and the rest hopefully care about their worthless party.

[bathroommonkey76]

22. Flynn's part of a military black ops mafia

who never have to abide by laws and rules (Ask anyone who knows someone in that world)--I have a feeling the Senate Committee and FBI will grant him immunity b/c of his years service.

[csziggy]

26. Michael Flynns Immunity Request Rejected By Senate Intelligence Committee

Michael Flynn’s Immunity Request Rejected By Senate Intelligence Committee

by Ken Dilanian and Kasie Hunt
Apr 1 2017

The Senate Intelligence Committee turned down the request by former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's lawyer for a grant of immunity in exchange for his testimony, two congressional sources told NBC News.

A senior congressional official with direct knowledge said Flynn's lawyer was told it was "wildly preliminary" and that immunity was "not on the table" at the moment. A second source said the committee communicated that it is "not receptive" to Flynn's request "at this time."

The senior congressional official also said that Flynn's lawyer had conveyed the offer of testimony in exchange for immunity from prosecution to the Justice Department.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D.-Calif., the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, acknowledged in a statement that the Justice Department's interest in Flynn's testimony could take precedence over Congress' wish to hear from him.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/senate-intelligence-committee-rejects-immunity-michael-flynn-n741061

While they have left the door open for a future grant of immunity, I doubt they would give it to Flynn. In fact, from what Schiff said, the Jutice Department may have more on Flynn than anyone else. Let's hope Sessions does not allow his own special interests to outweigh the good of the country.

[Sunlei]

25. Republicans created the"letter of Generals" for trump campaign last yr-need to answer questions.

Trump waved the letter/list around during his campaign and said, "Generals who support Trump".

That list/letter is where Flynn and several other trump appointments came from. IMO, Republican party put that letter/ list of Generals together and pushed several of those names into trump Admin.

[wryter2000]

28. I didn't see that

Thank you

[Fiendish Thingy]

29. Aren't all pardons retroactive?

I don't know of any pardons that are for future deeds, although with the exception of Ford/Nixon and George HW Bush/Iran-Contra guy, they are for past convictions, not potential charges.

Nixon could have pardoned the entire population of the USA, but I think he still would have been impeached, as the pardoned co-conspirators still could have been compelled to testify under penalty of perjury, with their testimony corroborated with Woodward and Bernstein's evidence. The act of giving multiple pardons in itself could have led to impeachment.

I hope they let Flynn dangle, and seek other big fish to hook, so he doesn't take the fall for everyone.

[Guilded Lilly]

30. Much about what is "normal" vanished on election night...

nothing is as is should/would/could be in bringing any kind of justice for corruption and treason. Nothing follows logic or honor or even simple decency. The integrity of the administration has been so damaged how can anyone heal this kind of crap?
It's all disheartening and not a little migraine inducing. However, I cannot give up on the people who ARE working deeply behind the scenes in this internal war.

We just need a few little sparks to light the fuse that can ignite the bomb to blow this administration to fiery hell.

And it certainly can't come fast enough!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

35. I wonder if Flynn would then be compelled to testify as he is no longer in jeopardy.

He might not be able to use the 5th. Would the pardon be like immunity granted to an accomplice to compel testimony?

And if he lies, he might open himself up to a perjury charge. Which would require another pardon.

It could get really ugly.