# I'll throw you in jail when I become President **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 10, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168 "2016-10-10T18:53:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/81 "2016-10-11T21:15:43Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No, no – the selection would be because of Comey’s public statement, not her First Amendment activities. Now, of course it’s true that Comey’s statement was made because of Mrs. Clinton’s highly public profile, which arose in turn because of her First Amendment activities, but there’s an arguable attenuation there. > > Indeed, looking at recent prosecutions of people like Tom DeLay, Bob McDonnell, and Rick Perry, it seems safe to hint that they were selected because of political prominence, and indeed all those cases ended up in the appellate courts in prosecutorial ruin – but none for selective prosecution. I can easily imagine a Trump administration prosecution winding down a similar path. Oh, I had misread your post. But I think we’re in the same place: the claim would rise or fall in Trump’s ability to persuade a court about the reason for his selection of Clinton (or rather, Clinton’s ability to do so, since it would be her burden). I happen to think she would have quite a lot of evidence of political motivation. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/82 "2016-10-11T21:22:37Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > See, you’re making the assumption that Trump is actually telling the truth, and that when he says he’s going to have Hillary Clinton arrested, he sincerely means it. A lot of Trump’s supporters say they love him because Trump means what he says. So why does Trump have a group of flunkies who follow him around explaining Trump didn’t mean what he said? ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/83 "2016-10-11T21:25:06Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Trump thinks he’s running for king. That’s it, pure and simple. My daughter and I were speculating the other day about scenarios which would lead Trump to resign and turn the Presidency over to Pence. My thought was that it would be when he realized that “Off with his head!” was not a valid Executive Order. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/84 "2016-10-11T21:35:24Z")
Michael Mukaskey (former Bush AG) was interviewed on NPR yesterday and I caught part of it. Going back through the transcript [here](http://www.npr.org/2016/10/10/497423571/former-u-s-attorney-general-responds-to-trumps-special-prosecutor-comment) sounds like at least appointing a special prosecutor COULD happen, but it’s one of those things that’s simply NOT DONE, because it makes everyone involved look like a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/85 "2016-10-11T22:00:29Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Oh, I had misread your post. > > But I think we’re in the same place: the claim would rise or fall in Trump’s ability to persuade a court about the reason for his selection of Clinton (or rather, Clinton’s ability to do so, since it would be her burden). I happen to think she would have quite a lot of evidence of political motivation. Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/86 "2016-10-12T01:25:55Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > They get mad when you call them deplorable though. I quite agree. Also, “scum” is both easier to spell and takes up less text space. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/87 "2016-10-12T01:46:01Z")
Trump likely won’t be president – if he were and if he were to implement his politicization of an executive agency I imagine that would be a constitutional crisis, you would have career lawyers refusing to play his game and either leaving or being forced out of the DoJ and FBI, and this tactic would be blunted by mid-term elections from hell. The greater danger is that Trump’s call for jailing Hillary is the encoded language of political violence. That he would use that at a debate - after repeatedly suggesting that the elections are going to be rigged - is dog-whistling to those who have a compromised grip on reality. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/88 "2016-10-12T02:14:41Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I don’t think people fully appreciate the kind of fire that Donald Trump and his bag of deplorables are playing with. It’s extremely toxic and dangerous even to suggest that such a step ought to be taken. It’s consistent with his 2nd amendment comments and his calls for “monitors” to go to the polls to “observe” the voters. Many of these “observers” will be in states that allow people to carry firearms, concealed or openly. It’s consistent with his dire warnings that the election will be rigged. He’s laying out a case for election day violence and post-election day protest and unrest, and there are millions of voters out there who sympathize with him. This is no different than a radical cleric preaching violent jihad to millions of impressionable young men over the Internet. > > Until even a few weeks ago, I was of the opinion that Trump was throwing it out there almost the way that some teenager tweets out a threat of mass violence as a kind of sick prank. But I think that things have changed a lot over the past week. Donald doesn’t just feel attacked as a candidate by these scandals – he feels attacked as a person. These scandals are threatening his financial empire (however fake it is in fact) and the cold, heartless narcissist is going to go full on sociopath from now until the end. I think he has decided that he is fighting not only for the survival of his campaign but for the survival of his brand and his family name – self inflicted, absolutely, but still, it is what it is: a wounded lion lashing out in rage against any perceived attacker. You’ve put my thoughts into words, and well. ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/89 "2016-10-12T03:49:24Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Ok? Maybe in your world. > [@JohnT](#): > > Trump vowed to use the powers of the presidency to enact revenge upon a political opponent, because she is his political opponent. Um, no. He’s saying he’d hold politicians (Hillary included) to the laws or our nation. Which she and her husband have flaunted and bent to suit their own needs and desires. If anyone else had done what they have done you’d lose your shit. But since it’s a Clinton and who you’re running president, to hell with the law and rules. You just want her in office. > [@JohnT](#): > > This is unconscionable. This is unAmerican. This is evil. Anybody who supports this man has a moral black stain upon their soul and is “American” by nationality only, not in thought, temperment, or belief. Good Lord. Try and go more off the rails. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/90 "2016-10-12T03:52:54Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > Maybe in your world. > > **Um, no. He’s saying he’d hold politicians (Hillary included) to the laws or our nation. Which she and her husband have flaunted and bent to suit their own needs and desires.** > > If anyone else had done what they have done you’d lose your shit. But since it’s a Clinton and who you’re running president, to hell with the law and rules. You just want her in office. > > Good Lord. Try and go more off the rails. He said she would be in jail. No mention of a trial or evidence or anything. Maybe you could tell us what laws she should be in prison for breaking. ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/91 "2016-10-12T04:12:47Z")
Mishandling Classified Information Violation of The 2009 Federal Records Act Violation of the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) [http://ijr.com/2015/03/264655-3-federal-laws-hillary-may-violated-secret-email-accounts/](http://ijr.com/2015/03/264655-3-federal-laws-hillary-may-violated-secret-email-accounts/) ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/92 "2016-10-12T04:14:31Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > No mention of a trial or evidence or anything. Way to completely read or hear his comments as literal as possible. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/93 "2016-10-12T04:25:48Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > Mishandling Classified Information > > Violation of The 2009 Federal Records Act > > Violation of the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) > > [http://ijr.com/2015/03/264655-3-federal-laws-hillary-may-violated-secret-email-accounts/](http://ijr.com/2015/03/264655-3-federal-laws-hillary-may-violated-secret-email-accounts/) From your link. > [@](#): > > These are just three of the **potential** violations that Clinton may have committed by using a personal email account to conduct official State business. More information will be provided as this story continues to develop. The FBI decided it didn’t reach criminal levels. > [@HeweyLogan](#): > > Way to completely read or hear his comments as literal as possible. Clinton said it was a good thing that Trump isn’t in charge of the law. Trump said: “You’d be in jail.” I’ll take him at his word as he’s quite proud of telling it like it is. ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/94 "2016-10-12T04:33:21Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Clinton said it was a good thing that Trump isn’t in charge of the law. > Trump said: “You’d be in jail.” > I’ll take him at his word as he’s quite proud of telling it like it is. And that is that he’d completely disregard any and all laws pertaining to a citizen to get back at an opponent. It would go unchecked. That the United States would become a dictatorship, or worse. You’re driving a point completely off a cliff. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/95 "2016-10-12T04:46:25Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > And that is that he’d completely disregard any and all laws pertaining to a citizen to get back at an opponent. It would go unchecked. That the United States would become a dictatorship, or worse. > > You’re driving a point completely off a cliff. The fact that he even uttered that phrase is beyond anything a candidate has ever done. Considering he has no idea how the government works, I would expect he believes he can do it. And he’s repeated the point at subsequent rallies. You might want to read up on Nixon and abuse of power. ---
**Author:** ![RenaissanceMan203](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/94ad74/32.png) [@RenaissanceMan203](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RenaissanceMan203)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/96 "2016-10-12T05:01:29Z")
I don’t understand why people are so goddamned blind as to not realize that this buffoon was put in the place that he is in to ensure her election. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/97 "2016-10-12T05:04:39Z")
Are there going to be any giant albino Jesuit assassins in this one? That’s a winning formula, it seems. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/98 "2016-10-12T05:22:14Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Trump thinks he’s running for king. That’s it, pure and simple. > [@OttoDaFe](#): > > My daughter and I were speculating the other day about scenarios which would lead Trump to resign and turn the Presidency over to Pence. My thought was that it would be when he realized that “Off with his head!” was not a valid Executive Order. I quite agree. Once he realizes just how much he’s not allowed to have his way, he’ll be gone. (Or he would, since he’s not going to be president.) > [@RenaissanceMan203](#): > > I don’t understand why people are so goddamned blind as to not realize that this buffoon was put in the place that he is in to ensure her election. I’m not much of a conspiracy theorist, but I have wondered whether a) that could be true, that Trump is a Clinton mole, or b) he started his campaign on a lark, is shocked to see how far he’s gone and is desperately trying to lose the election on purpose. But I finally decided on Occam’s razor, which dictates he’s just an arrogant asshole. ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/99 "2016-10-12T05:49:15Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The fact that he even uttered that phrase is beyond anything a candidate has ever done. So? And I mean that seriously, so? Plenty of things have and haven’t been brought up in an election, good and bad, why is that such an outrage? Because I read it as if he’s in office he won’t be beholden to anything but the law. - I’ll add that I like his comments regarding the supreme court - that he’d support justices like Scalia. A person who in my opinion decided on the basis of the constitution, and not how politicians wanted him to agree. > [@running\_coach](#): > > Considering he has no idea how the government works, I would expect he believes he can do it. And he’s repeated the point at subsequent rallies. That he believes Hillary should be in jail or otherwise held accountable for her actions? I’m not having a problem with that. How Nixon gets incorporated into that I’ll never know. Nixon left because of the checks and balances that I assume would be in play with Trump. And if he were to go the NIxon route I’d hope what happened to Nixon would happen to him. You seem to think a vote for Trump is a vote for a complete free-for-all, where all the rules are completely ignored (and not for a specific few, like the Clintons). I haven’t heard anything that leads me to think he’d dismiss the constitution, the law, the process of government. Outside of a delusional paranoid few that is. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168/100 "2016-10-12T06:14:03Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > I haven’t heard anything that leads me to think he’d dismiss the constitution, the law, the process of government. Outside of a delusional paranoid few that is. Excuse me? Trump has said he will “go after their families” of terrorists and “bring back things worse than water boarding”. Those things are war crimes and if he was to order the military to do those things it would be an illegal order. He doesn’t seem to care. Here’s another article with lots of examples of his disdain for rule of law. > **[Trump's Open Disdain for the Rule of Law](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trumps-open-disdain-for-the-rule-of-law-190613/)** > > Donald Trump acts like he's running to be America's dictator rather than the president of a nation of laws. No you do not have to be a “delusional paranoid” you just have to be aware of the consequences of Trump’s own words to be extremely worried. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-throw-you-in-jail-when-i-become-president/768168.md?page=6)