Not “executive orders INSTEAD of legislation.”
Which still has fuck-all to do with obstruction of justice. But it does have a LOT to do with Barack HUSSEIN O’bummer once wearing a tan suit.
Missed edit window. That’s NOT the role of the President.
If one President places himself above, or at least outside, of the Constitution, what’s to stop subsequent Presidents?
the impeachment process, elections, and the final Bastion of Democracy, Saturday Night Live (which was way funnier in the 70s, but still…)
When it comes to “paraphrasing” the words of others, you’re just not very good at it, are you?
Is there any president who didn’t issue Executive Orders? Certainly not in the modern era.
And that’s one thing about Presidents. They are not known for advocating limits on their constitutional authority. Discounting what Trump has to say on the self-pardoning issue (because, well, Trump), I would not be surprised if any president claimed the authority to pardon himself. It’s what they do-- claim to have broad, constitutional powers.
I suggest you read the letter from Trump’s lawyers again, particularly this part (bolding mine):
The exact argument that they are making is that POTUS = Justice and so Trump cannot subvert Justice. It’s right there in clear language.
The one exception is not a surprising one: William Harrison did not issue any executive orders during his thirty-one days in office.
No, I don’t. Why don’t you lay out the situation and the argument; I’d find it helpful. Also, is this something that the GOP was onboard with when Obama was President? They supported this phone-and-pen thing?
No. It means POTUS = The Head of the Justice Department. He cannot obstruct the workings of that department since he runs the damn thing.
Also, note that the word “subvert” is not in your quote. If you’re going to harp on clear language, best not to change it. In fact, the word “Justice” is not in your quote, but I’ll give you that one because “obstruction” is meant to mean “Obstruction of Justice”. But by the same token, you can’t pluck “Justice” out of that because “Obstruction of Justice” is a term of art which refers to breaking a specific statute, not some generic raping of the blindfolded lady herself.
The scary thing from my point of view is in November when we get a chance to discover whether Trump decides to use his pardoning power to make it so that Republicans can safely ignore all federal election law. I don’t see Congress punishing him for helping to keep them in power.
At some point, it falls back on the American people. If they are willing to put up with that, then they (we) get the government we deserve. But in all honesty I think you’re headed towards “What if Trump declares himself dictator for life?” territory if you’re going to worry about that.
But he “knows” they are all innocent so it’s just a waste to try to investigate.
This is the problem with Trump. Glad we finally found common ground.
Do you not agree that Obama did unconstitutional things?
Such as…?
His appointment to the NLRB, which was overruled 9-0.
Name a President who didn’t lose a case in the Supreme Court.
William Henry Harrison.
I am beginning to hate William Henry Harrison-his existence fucks up just about every question asked about U.S. Presidents.