The Founders, unfortunately, created a government with the assumption that a president would always have common sense and would never do such a thing.
The current administration has shown our laws need to be revamped so that we don't need to "hope" a president has common sense, decency and ethics.
The power to pardon needs to be seriously restricted to not allow the scenario in your OP, used to pardon oneself, pardon someone involved in your own investigation, pardon friends or family members, or given in return for favors.
Also, Congress should have the ability to deny certain pardons.
The Founders assumed this was so obvious it didn't need to be stated. Quite sadly, they were wrong.
@lemondrop saidRelax if it was related to insanity it would’ve already happened. But seriously no democratic state should tolerate absolute power being invested in any individual.
what if, out sheer insanity, the president decided to pardon every federal prisoner
@lemondrop saidThere would be well over 130,000 ex-cons wandering the streets.
what if, out sheer insanity, the president decided to pardon every federal prisoner
https://www.statista.com/statistics/252994/number-of-prisoners-under-federal-jurisdiction-in-the-us-by-citizenship/
This would somewhat tarnish his sought-for reputation as a law-and-order president.
On the other hand, Trump is ramping up executions of federal prisoners, so it is unlikely that he would pardon all federal prisoners.
I think the more pressing question is whether he can pardon people in advance of their being charged with any federal offences but who might be after he leaves office (such as himself and his family). The founding fathers certainly did not intend that a man, president or otherwise, should be able to pardon himself, as this would effectively put that man above the law.
@moonbus saidSurely you can’t pardon someone who’s not been sentenced.
There would be well over 130,000 ex-cons wandering the streets.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/252994/number-of-prisoners-under-federal-jurisdiction-in-the-us-by-citizenship/
This would somewhat tarnish his sought-for reputation as a law-and-order president.
On the other hand, Trump is ramping up executions of federal prisoners, so it is unlikely that he would ...[text shortened]... otherwise, should be able to pardon himself, as this would effectively put that man above the law.
@shavixmir
Trump is actually talking about that, calling it a 'Preemptive pardon' for Rudy and Trump's kids. A get out of jail card if and when they are actually charged with a federal crime. Of course the optics would look bad, since it would imply they actually have done some federal crime.
But if he does that and it sticks, presidential pardons do not stop charges from STATE prosecutors which is quietly running Trump even more insane than he already is.
@sonhouse saidSurely one is pardoned for a specific deed. Not just for any deed and not for any sort of deed that may occur in the future.
@shavixmir
Trump is actually talking about that, calling it a 'Preemptive pardon' for Rudy and Trump's kids. A get out of jail card if and when they are actually charged with a federal crime. Of course the optics would look bad, since it would imply they actually have done some federal crime.
But if he does that and it sticks, presidential pardons do not stop charges from STATE prosecutors which is quietly running Trump even more insane than he already is.
@vivify saidUnfortunately, there isn't so much as an entire intact spine among the Republicans in Congress to override any pardons by Trump. In fact, members have petitioned him for some of them.
Also, Congress should have the ability to deny certain pardons.
At least enabling them an avenue to do so makes them share his blame for pardoning people who should rot in prison.
@shavixmir saidIn a sane world, yes.
Surely one is pardoned for a specific deed. Not just for any deed and not for any sort of deed that may occur in the future.
This is Trump's America we're talking about.
@shavixmir saidThis happened in the past with Richard Nixon, where he was granted a preemptive pardon for any and all offenses relating to his investigation.
Surely one is pardoned for a specific deed. Not just for any deed and not for any sort of deed that may occur in the future.
@dood111 saidYou guys on the right are driven by fear. In Trump's America, Fear leads to Lying. Lying leads to getting elected.
Meanwhile Biden and Harris just want to let all kinds of violent offenders out of prison as soon as they take over , and declare no bail release for people being arrested no matter what kind of record they have racked up.
Don't be such wimps.
@suzianne saidPardons can't be overridden.
Unfortunately, there isn't so much as an entire intact spine among the Republicans in Congress to override any pardons by Trump. In fact, members have petitioned him for some of them.
At least enabling them an avenue to do so makes them share his blame for pardoning people who should rot in prison.
@no1marauder said
Pardons can't be overridden.
@vivify said
Also, Congress should have the ability to deny certain pardons.