# NO pardons for Trump and his cronies **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 24, 2019, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777 "2019-09-24T23:31:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/81 "2019-09-26T18:08:08Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I think I’ve found the Republican talking point of the day: > > - Go to social media and find a topic about Trump, impeachment, Ukraine > - Bring up an entirely unrelated topic (the national debt, historical figures, slavery, whatever) > - Deflect the conversation into this new area. Don’t be afraid to bring up distracting topics over and over > - Winning! _I_ didn’t bring up John Brown. Septimus did. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/82 "2019-09-26T18:10:48Z")
Doesn’t answer my question, but whatever. I think American slavery was among the most monstrous things in history, equivalent to the Holocaust and Holodomor, and it’s morally acceptable (and even righteous!) to try and oppose such monstrosities with any means possible, including violence. Brown may have made some tactical mistakes, but his cause was as pure as possible, and he sacrificed his life for it, and that’s why he’s remembered. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/83 "2019-09-26T18:15:45Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Yep. Also: > > Never admit to anything > Double down > Cover up on the cover up > Send out the attack dogs > Accuse others of what you just did > Use your pet media to spread your falsehoods > Prevent voters from voting To be fair, Nixon knew all those things. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/84 "2019-09-26T18:20:46Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > To be fair, Nixon knew all those things. Nixon had nothing remotely similar to Fox news. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/85 "2019-09-26T19:15:46Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Do you think “We need to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, including Treason” is a reference to the colloquial definition or the legal one? > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > You still don’t understand that what you posted was wrong, do you? For reference: > [@What Effect Will Trump's Concentration Camps have on his reelection campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-will-trumps-concentration-camps-have-on-his-reelection-campaign/835738/660): > > I’m giving you fair notice here. I have no more patience for JAQing off, sealioning, other off topic tangents meant to rile people up, or other bad faith arguments. That goes for all threads in the future, including this one. I will bookmark this post and if it occurs again you will be warned. > > [/moderating] This is the type of pointless JAQing off/sealioning that I cautioned you against previously. This is a warning for failure to follow moderator instructions. > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I don’t. “If they do so,and can convince a jury, then kudos to them.” was an expression of indifference, not support. Quite honestly, I’d prefer to see the tradition that “the US does not go after or try to prosecute previous administrations” remain intact, but it’s a fairly mild preference, and the desire to see President Trump prosecuted currently exists only as a masturbatory fantasy in the minds of the far left, so at present I don’t see much point in arguing about that desire. This too could be violative of our rule against sexualizing posters and their arguments, though I will not give you two warnings at once. If not for the above warning, this would also be a warning as well. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/86 "2019-09-26T19:52:34Z")
I know there is a lot going on with the current scandal but I want to focus on the inevitable. We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen again. We need to prosecute Trump and his enablers. Not for vindication. To right the course of this country. How do we take Trump’s ability to say “I pardon everyone who has ever been alone in a room with me.” away. I think it has to be more than individual states going after him. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/87 "2019-09-26T20:02:27Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > How do we take Trump’s ability to say “I pardon everyone who has ever been alone in a room with me.” away. 290 Representatives, 67 Senators, and 38 state legislatures, to amend the Constitution - good luck with any of those, much less all of them. Failing that, you can always track them down one by one, and arrest them on trumped-up I just noticed that… charges. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/88 "2019-09-26T20:06:48Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > I know there is a lot going on with the current scandal but I want to focus on the inevitable. > > We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen again. We need to prosecute Trump and his enablers. Not for vindication. To right the course of this country. > > How do we take Trump’s ability to say “I pardon everyone who has ever been alone in a room with me.” away. I think it has to be more than individual states going after him. We need some legislation on candidates being require to provide certain information, including tax returns. I’m sure some other controls on political office can be suggested. Perhaps a federal law requiring government employees to use government email for business. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/89 "2019-09-26T20:17:20Z")
I think we need to think outside the box. First of all, I don’t believe we need to change the constitution, not for this sordid shit. My semi-facetious mention of Mitch McConnell is what I’m thinking. How do we play by the rules yet negate his veto power? We need to do this now, before he figures out that it is too late. Because very soon, I’m pretty sure, he is going to start issuing prophylactic pardons. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/90 "2019-09-26T20:20:43Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > We need some legislation on candidates being require to provide certain information, including tax returns. I’m sure some other controls on political office can be suggested. Perhaps a federal law requiring government employees to use government email for business. This will happen. It is kind of funny that Republicans say they stand for deregulation and then vote for someone like Trump. There are going to be a whole slew of new laws after all this shakes out. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/91 "2019-09-26T20:29:56Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > We need some legislation on candidates being require to provide certain information, including tax returns. I’m sure some other controls on political office can be suggested. Perhaps a federal law requiring government employees to use government email for business. One good way is to throw weight behind Warren - if you want someone who can come to office with a mandate of actually cleaning the slime from the swamp pumps (now that we’ve drained it, ha), she’s the candidate. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/92 "2019-09-26T20:55:04Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > We need some legislation on candidates being require to provide certain information, including tax returns. … I believe that would need to be an amendment. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/93 "2019-09-26T21:01:39Z")
My prediction. Imagine, if you will that it becomes clear that, as with Nixon, he will be impeached and convicted. Twenty Republican senators realize that they don’t want to end up tarred with all the dirt that the investigation is turning up. Then Trump makes a deal with Pence that he will resign and Pence will pardon him. And Pence actually does it, despite Ford’s bad experience. You heard it first here (or maybe you didn’t). ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/94 "2019-09-26T21:03:26Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > My prediction. Imagine, if you will that it becomes clear that, as with Nixon, he will be impeached and convicted. Twenty Republican senators realize that they don’t want to end up tarred with all the dirt that the investigation is turning up. Then Trump makes a deal with Pence that he will resign and Pence will pardon him. And Pence actually does it, despite Ford’s bad experience. > > You heard it first here (or maybe you didn’t). This what I would like to forestall. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/95 "2019-09-26T21:47:20Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Trump 2020: It wasn’t technically Treason! Any moment now… > [@KellyAnne Conway](#): > > You are saying it’s Treason and all they are committing is “Alternative Treason”. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/96 "2019-09-26T21:52:13Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The only thing Republicans learned from Nixon was to coverup better. Then this conclusively proves that Trump is not a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/97 "2019-09-26T22:33:08Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > This what I would like to forestall. ☹ I don’t think you can. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/98 "2019-09-26T23:17:15Z")
Well,\* I \*can’t… ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/99 "2019-09-26T23:20:26Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > Well,\* I \*can’t… I guess to be more clear: I don’t think the dems can. I don’t think the people that would want this done have the political power necessary to accomplish it. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777/100 "2019-09-27T00:59:54Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Do you think “We need to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, including Treason” is a reference to the colloquial definition or the legal one? Do you think declaring a known mobster and foreign spy to be innocent of treason preemptively makes any sense at all? We may not “declare war” in the modern era, but we still authorize military action & we are fighting wars all the time. You don’t get to make treasonous acts acceptable by pretending the crime requires a formal “declaration of war”, when we call them “authorizations” now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pardons-for-trump-and-his-cronies/840777.md?page=6)