White House and Pentagon prepare for Trump to issue pardons in war-crimes cases, officials say

[demmiblue]

Source: WaPo

President Trump is expected to intervene in three military justice cases involving service members charged with war crimes any day, issuing pardons or otherwise clearing them of wrongdoing and preventing the U.S. military from bringing the same charges again, three U.S. officials said Thursday.

White House and Pentagon officials have been working out the details for days, said the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The details were not all clear but are expected to involve executive clemency, in which Trump can pardon someone or shorten a prison sentence through commutation.

The actions have been anticipated by U.S. officials and advocates for the service members for weeks, and decried by some military justice experts for what they see as a subversion of the legal process. But those experts also acknowledge that, as commander in chief, Trump has broad authority in the cases to act as he sees fit.

Some observers thought that Trump might announce his decision during a “Keep America Great” rally in Louisiana on Thursday night, but that did not occur. U.S. officials said they will be watching his Twitter account for an announcement on Friday, but added that he could publicize them later, or one at a time.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2019/11/14/white-house-pentagon-prepare-trump-issue-pardons-war-crimes-cases-officials-say/

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Link to tweet

[dewsgirl]

1. He is also getting the Roger Stone pardon ready.

[MFGsunny]

3. No doubt. n/t

[Dennis Donovan]

4. You just know it's already written and sitting in his top desk drawer...

[dewsgirl]

6. I know right.

[DeminPennswoods]

12. Trump doesn't care about Flynn, Manafort or Stone

He is totally, 1000% self-absorbed. If they are counting on a pardon, they're going to be waiting out the entirety of their sentences.

Trump would throw his mother, father, all 5 kids, grandkids and Melania to the wolves to save himself. I'm sure Melania and the kids are well aware of it, too.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. tRump is desperate for a controversial distraction, esp one that is red-meat for his rabid base. .nt

[Roy Rolling]

5. And Manafort

He is a “Russian military hero”.

[mopinko]

7. he's screwed the pooch w the military, but he keeps

going back for sloppy seconds.

this is so bad for the country.
and the world.

[beachbumbob]

8. this will lead to more military rejecting trump as those who do their job right

have nothing but disgust for those who committed atrocities.

[keithbvadu2]

9. Right now, it is Trump condoning/pardoning war crimes, but in the long run, it will be America appro

Right now, it is Trump condoning/pardoning war crimes, but in the long run, it will be America approving war crimes.

A pardon is acknowledgement of crimes.

When America accuses others of war crimes, it will be seen as hypocrisy and 'cry wolf'.

[Phoenix61]

10. Not at all surprising. He likes people just like

himself, criminals. Throw in the added bonus of putting himself higher than all those pesky judges he wanted to get rid of, how can he resist.

[Initech]

11. There is no line they won't cross.

[maryellen99]

13. I'm expecting him to pardon Lt Calley nt

[demmiblue]

14. (UPDATE) Subject: Statement from the Press Secretary

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2019

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Clemency for Army First Lieutenant Clint Lorance and Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and the Promotion of Special Warfare Operator First Class Edward Gallagher

Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for Army First Lieutenant Clint Lorance, an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for Army Major Mathew Golsteyn, and an order directing the promotion of Special Warfare Operator First Class Edward R. Gallagher to the grade of E-7, the rank he held before he was tried and found not guilty of nearly all of the charges against him.

https://publicpool.kinja.com/subject-statement-from-the-press-secretary-1839898914

[Corgigal]

15. Ah great.

Undisciplined military men who will be joining the civilized world. Law enforcement next, maybe?

[Cha]

16. Vile Asshole Mouth.