3. "at best a SCOTUS review." In response to Reply # 0
but...since the Constitution doesn't prohibit self-pardoning i don't see much happening.
most POTUSes wouldn't dare b/c they'd face a political reprisal. like an impeachment from a hostile Congress or losing a reelection bid. or hurting the rest of the party's down-ballot candidates. none of that shit applies to Trump or it doesn't bother him. he has violated so many political norms and gotten away w/it so far that it's like...'fuck it!'
but i think he CAN self-pardon and i'm not convinced anything will happen to him if he does. it definitely CAN but that doesn't mean it will. _______________________
9. "Assume the investigation takes another 14 months" In response to Reply # 0
If Mueller is smart he'll wait until midterms to release the findings from the investigation. Tie Trump into Russia and force Republicans to come out against Trump or lose seats. If the Republican party toes the line then they lose enough seats for Dems to gain them. This in turn forces impeachment in time for the pardons to take place.
stravinskian Member since Feb 24th 2003 12692 posts
Fri Jul-21-17 09:55 PM
11. "Legally it makes no immediate difference, as far as I've heard." In response to Reply # 0
Mueller would still be empowered to continue his investigation. A pardon wouldn't become relevant until they try to indict. At that point, the WH could refuse to appear in court, citing the pardon. Then Mueller personally has standing to sue again in federal court, and that case would quickly rise to be decided by the Supreme Court.