# Did Trump violate federal laws? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 15, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120 "2016-03-15T23:32:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/1 "2016-03-15T23:32:54Z")
[Ben Carson: I Didn’t Want To Endorse Trump, But He Promised Me A Position](http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/03/15/3760261/carson-offered-position-by-trump/) > [@](#): > > “I didn’t see a path for [John] Kasich, who I like, or for [Marco] Rubio, who I like. As far as [Ted] Cruz is concerned, I don’t think he’s gonna be able to draw independents and Democrats unless has has some kind of miraculous change… Is there another scenario that I would have preferred? Yes. But that scenario isn’t available.” Pressed to clarify, Carson said he meant he’d prefer to have backed one of the other candidates. > > Carson then said that Trump had promised him a role in his administration, “certainly in an advisory capacity.” Asked by NewsMax’s Steve Malzberg whether this meant a cabinet position, Carson declined to “reveal any details about it right now, because all of this is still very liquid.” OK, someone’s going to say ‘Well, that’s _Think Progress_. You really think that’s a reliable source?’ TP has a link to [Newsmax TV](http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/carson-trump-administration/2016/03/14/id/719044/#ooid=d2Y3cxMjE6sC1wiw8B8mk0lAiYk_cKJV), which has a video of the segment where Carson said ‘He will surround himself with very good people.’ Asked if one of these will be Dr. Ben Carson, Carson replied ‘I will be doing things as well. Yes.’ Asked, ‘In the administration?’ he said, ‘Certainly in an advisory capacity.’ ‘That’s been determined? When you sat down with him, that was discussed?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Is it a Cabinet position?’ ‘Uh… Again, I’m not going to reveal any details.’ It _sounds_ as if Trump offered Carson a position. Given that Carson doesn’t like Trump, it’s _plausible_ the offer was in exchange for an endorsement. So how likely is it that Trump violated federal laws? ---
**Author:** ![ElderSign](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eldersign/32/8263_2.png) [@ElderSign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElderSign)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/2 "2016-03-16T00:21:15Z")
Under oath, Carson’s memory would return to him and it would not be prosecuted. > **[Ben Carson: Why yes, I have been promised a position in the Trump administration](https://hotair.com/allahpundit/2016/03/15/ben-carson-why-yes-i-have-been-promised-a-position-in-the-trump-administration-n231827)** > > Opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/3 "2016-03-16T00:33:02Z")
Wait, wait…what? You mean to tell me politicians sometimes tend to BRIBE people?! The hell you say!:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/4 "2016-03-16T00:53:49Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > It _sounds_ as if Trump offered Carson a position. Given that Carson doesn’t like Trump, it’s _plausible_ the offer was in exchange for an endorsement. > > So how likely is it that Trump violated federal laws? Thought experiment: Howard Stern says, on the air, “I’m going to run for President, and if I win I am appointing Robin Quivers as Secretary of State.” Do you believe that to violate federal law? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/5 "2016-03-16T01:02:08Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Thought experiment: Howard Stern says, on the air, “I’m going to run for President, and if I win I am appointing Robin Quivers as Secretary of State.” > > Do you believe that to violate federal law? Eh? The charge is that Trump offered Carson a position _in exchange for an endorsement_. I don’t see how that fits your hypothetical. Anyhoo, agree it won’t be prosecuted, since Carson will just say that he mis-spoke and there was no quid pro quo. These things seem pretty close to unprosecutable unless the people involved are both dumb enough to make the offer explicit and leave documentary evidence (the Illinois Governor who tried to sell Obama’s Senate seat, for example). ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/6 "2016-03-16T01:03:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Ben Carson: I Didn’t Want To Endorse Trump, But He Promised Me A Position](http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/03/15/3760261/carson-offered-position-by-trump/) > > OK, someone’s going to say ‘Well, that’s _Think Progress_. You really think that’s a reliable source?’ TP has a link to [Newsmax TV](http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/carson-trump-administration/2016/03/14/id/719044/#ooid=d2Y3cxMjE6sC1wiw8B8mk0lAiYk_cKJV), which has a video of the segment where Carson said ‘He will surround himself with very good people.’ Asked if one of these will be Dr. Ben Carson, Carson replied ‘I will be doing things as well. Yes.’ Asked, ‘In the administration?’ he said, ‘Certainly in an advisory capacity.’ ‘That’s been determined? When you sat down with him, that was discussed?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Is it a Cabinet position?’ ‘Uh… Again, I’m not going to reveal any details.’ > > It _sounds_ as if Trump offered Carson a position. Given that Carson doesn’t like Trump, it’s _plausible_ the offer was in exchange for an endorsement. > > So how likely is it that Trump violated federal laws? That’s funny! Federal law applying to the ruling class. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/7 "2016-03-16T01:04:40Z")
There are probably only two people who could ever substantiate that allegation; one of them wouldn’t talk no matter what motivation you used, and the other would be highly unlikely to say anything as long as he believed that he had a real chance of getting the post being offered. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/8 "2016-03-16T01:14:24Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > That’s funny! > > Federal law applying to the ruling class. I’m not sure Carson is part of the “ruling class”. But people do occasionally get convicted for bribing with gov’t positions, so I disagree with your statement. The Governor if Illinois, for example. IIRC, there was a more recent case in NY, though I can’t remember enough to google. But like I said, the people involved have to be pretty dumb to get caught. I was kinda amused by Rubio’s voice-mail to Christie earlier in the cycle asking for an endorsement and saying he “had a bright future in public service”, which is funny because of how close it comes to just blatently saying “endorse me and I’ll put you in my Cabinet”. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/9 "2016-04-02T01:13:59Z")
So did Obama violate this law when he appointed Hillary secretary of state? Or did he not actually tell her he’d do that until after the election? Can’t remember. It seems that Think Progress’s interpretation of this law makes many normal political deals illegal, and I’m not sure that’s the case. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/10 "2016-04-02T02:22:07Z")
Is an endorsement something that you can criminally bribe somebody for? I thought an endorsement is something you’re allowed to sell on the open market if you want. The only check on selling it openly is it diminishes its perceived value. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/11 "2016-04-02T07:59:52Z")
What exactly is the federal law in issue? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/12 "2016-04-02T11:36:47Z")
. . . before breakfasting this morning? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/13 "2016-04-02T14:54:46Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > What exactly is the federal law in issue? What, nobody reads links anymore? > [@](#): > > **18 U.S. Code § 599 - Promise of appointment by candidate** > > Whoever, being a candidate, directly or indirectly promises or pledges the appointment, or the use of his influence or support for the appointment of any person to any public or private position or employment, for the purpose of procuring support in his candidacy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/14 "2016-04-02T23:05:34Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Is an endorsement something that you can criminally bribe somebody for? I thought an endorsement is something you’re allowed to sell on the open market if you want. The only check on selling it openly is it diminishes its perceived value. Apparently, if the “bribe” comes in the form of offering a federal job if you are elected, it’s illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/15 "2016-04-03T00:30:14Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > What, nobody reads links anymore? Neither of the links in your OP contained the exact language of the law. Links within those articles may have, but really, how deep do you expect people to have to dig? I think it was entirely a fair question by **Northern Piper** , especially given that he is a Canadian lawyer, and I find your response to be kind of snotty. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/16 "2016-04-03T00:44:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > There are probably only two people who could ever substantiate that allegation; one of them wouldn’t talk no matter what motivation you used, and the other would be highly unlikely to say anything as long as he believed that he had a real chance of getting the post being offered. (emphasis mine) Haven’t there been recent claims that torture will always uncover the truth? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/17 "2016-04-03T05:04:30Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > (emphasis mine) > > Haven’t there been recent claims that torture will always uncover the truth? LOL that’d be poetic justice for Trump… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/18 "2016-04-03T05:33:26Z")
Trump’s figured out a clever loophole. Sure, he promised Carson a cabinet-level position in the federal government. But he’s going to make the Mexican President appoint him to it. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/19 "2016-04-03T21:25:00Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Neither of the links in your OP contained the exact language of the law. Links within those articles may have, but really, how deep do you expect people to have to dig? You can handle a link within a link. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120/20 "2016-04-03T21:30:59Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > That’s funny! > > Federal law applying to the ruling class. That’s the danger. They aren’t the ruling class. One thing I was worried about with Carson is that federal election law is complex. Trump probably has the money and legal team to defend himself. Carson’s screwed if the authorities come calling. Besides, the powers that be would love to send a message that non-politicians need not apply. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-violate-federal-laws/749120.md?page=2)