# Trump Pardons Everyone! **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 18, 2020, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121 "2020-02-18T19:12:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/61 "2020-02-19T14:54:56Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > If all of those were real titles and not just made up to look like stupid joke titles, then yeah, Trump is the Chief of the Interior Department. > > He is the head of the entire executive branch. All executive power is constitutionally vested in the President. Such “logic” would make him Chief White House Butler of the United States. And Chief White House Maid of the United States. And Chief White House Groundskeeper of the United States. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/62 "2020-02-19T15:06:58Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Trump is basically declaring himself the attorney general of the US as well as President and whatever else he’s declared himself to be this week. The General, The President, [The King of the Sea](https://youtu.be/MFeJJAQPiK4?t=36)! ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/63 "2020-02-19T15:12:37Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > No, “Chief Law Enforcement Officer” is not an official title. > > Yes, that should be the attorney general. > > Trump is basically declaring himself the attorney general of the US as well as President and whatever else he’s declared himself to be this week. To be fair, Trump probably thinks he knows more about law enforcement than anybody. Just ask him. (And, how long until Trump actually says this aloud?) ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/64 "2020-02-19T15:21:12Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Such “logic” would make him Chief White House Butler of the United States. > And Chief White House Maid of the United States. > And Chief White House Groundskeeper of the United States. I, for one, support referring to Trump as the Chief White House Maid of the United States. This whole thing is so stupid. Only in Trump-land could Trump say something so clearly wrong and dumb, and have his supporters be like “Whatever you say Dear Leader.” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/65 "2020-02-19T15:30:11Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > He is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States. You dispute that? **UltraVires** , in several threads you’ve posited that Trump, as President, is in charge of everything. I don’t see anyone in this thread disputing that he had the Consitutional _authority_ to pardon/commute persons convicted of federal crimes. Now, would you care to discuss whether his decision to do so without consulting the department head who’s charged with that specific task is the _right_ thing to do? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/66 "2020-02-19T16:15:39Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Blago was on Trump’s tv show, and The Blagos pretty much begged Trump. That makes him feel important and Kingly. Probably not the sole reason, but add them in as parts. It never hurts to have a corrupt politician in your pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/67 "2020-02-19T16:51:42Z")
Watch: Blago will become a Fox News commentator foaming at the mouth about the Democrats and TDS, and GOP supporters will completely forget that he was a Democrat convicted on completely unassailable corruption charges. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/68 "2020-02-19T17:04:14Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > I, for one, support referring to Trump as the Chief White House Maid of the United States. > > This whole thing is so stupid. Only in Trump-land could Trump say something so clearly wrong and dumb, and have his supporters be like “Whatever you say Dear Leader.” Little known facts about Trump: - He invented the hamburger, calling it “double bread with meat”, before settling on it’s correct name, “Hamberder”, which it will now be called under federal law. - Trump never needs to use a toilet because his body is so well calibrated he does not need to urinate or defecate. - Trump’s birth atop a sacred mountain saw a new star created and winter turn to spring. - Trump is beloved around the world and every single country celebrates his birthday. - Trump is the best golfer in the world. In his last game, he dominated the 7,700-yard Course. He shot an unimaginable 38-under par, recording no worse than a birdie on each hole. His round included 11 holes-in-one, and the feat was verified by 17 bodyguards who were present. - During an intensely creative two year span, Trump composed six operas which are considered to be the world’s best. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/69 "2020-02-19T17:45:58Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Watch: Blago will become a Fox News commentator foaming at the mouth about the Democrats and TDS, and GOP supporters will completely forget that he was a Democrat convicted on completely unassailable corruption charges. Actually, in Blago’s current news conferences he’s going on and on about inequity in the US criminal justice system and actually has a few good points. I would love to see Blago _actually_ devote his life to working towards a genuinely better and more just legal system in the country. That would go a long way towards redeeming some of his past skeeviness. Not going to hold my breath, though - I’ll believe it when I see it. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/70 "2020-02-19T17:56:46Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Actually, in Blago’s current news conferences he’s going on and on about inequity in the US criminal justice system and actually has a few good points. > > I would love to see Blago _actually_ devote his life to working towards a genuinely better and more just legal system in the country. That would go a long way towards redeeming some of his past skeeviness. > > Not going to hold my breath, though - I’ll believe it when I see it. That’s kind of refreshing. I haven’t seen anything – what kinds of inequity is he talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/71 "2020-02-19T18:07:33Z")
Wildly different sentences handed out for the same crime to different people. Coercion of innocent people to confessing to crimes to avoid extremely long prison sentences. How wealth makes makes a difference in what sort of justice you get in the US. How the US locks up such a disproportionately large percentage of its population, what’s up with that? Some other stuff, but I wasn’t listening very intently. You can probably get a better and more thorough summation on line somewhere if you’re interested in looking for it. He also continues to maintain his conviction was purely politics and he did nothing wrong. I’m not convinced of that, personally. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/72 "2020-02-19T18:54:50Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Jeffrey Epstein must be regretting killing himself about now. Dang it, don’t make me laugh when I’m mad. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/73 "2020-02-19T19:44:09Z")
Blago spent eight years in a small concrete room. Is that not enough? Trump knew him from The Apprentice, so what, he has nothing to offer Trump’s re-election, he is and was a solid Chicago Democrat. The sentence was excessive. You go sit in a small room for eight years and get back to me. Trump is not allowed to have the least little bit of compassion, because, you know, he’s an evil genius and all. What is the evil plan behind all this? Maybe it is just what it looks like, a pardon for an excessive sentence. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/74 "2020-02-19T19:45:53Z")
Good one! Oh wait…you’re serious? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/75 "2020-02-19T19:52:58Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Blago spent eight years in a small concrete room. Is that not enough? I think there is an argument to be made that Blago’s sentence was disproportionate compared to those handed out to other people guilty of the same crimes. Which, indeed, was one of the points he made today in his press conference. I will note, however, that what Blagoevich was convicted of was not too dissimilar to what Trump was impeached for - I do believe Trump is pardoning/commuting the sentences of people guilty of the same things as a way of minimizing what he himself (Trump) did as part of his argument that it was not a crime. And, also, Blagoevich also argued it was not a crime. I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that if Blago had been a Republican he would have received a full pardon and not just a commutation. But, you see, he’s a Democrat and thus must be punished. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/76 "2020-02-19T19:53:57Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Blago spent eight years in a small concrete room. Is that not enough? Charles Manson spent 46 years in prison. Why wasn’t he pardoned after serving eight? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/77 "2020-02-19T20:07:14Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > he has nothing to offer Trump’s re-election Sure he does. He will be the newest Fox news contributor. He will be a “Democrat” talking about how extreme and socialist all of the other Democrats are these days. You think Trump let him out for no gain? Please. And those on your side will eat this all up like it was your first meal in 2 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/78 "2020-02-19T20:18:08Z")
What’s to prevent Trump from obtaining a complete list of all prison inmates, and pardoning them all, just to show who’s boss? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/79 "2020-02-19T20:30:03Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Trump is not allowed to have the least little bit of compassion, because, you know, he’s an evil genius and all. What is the evil plan behind all this? Maybe it is just what it looks like, a pardon for an excessive sentence. Compassion my ass. Blago wrote an editorial condemning the impeachment that could have been taken straight from the GOP playbook, and his wife has been portraying Blago as a witchhunt victim for years. > [@Broomstick](#): > > I will note, however, that what Blagoevich was convicted of was not too dissimilar to what Trump was impeached for - I do believe Trump is pardoning/commuting the sentences of people guilty of the same things as a way of minimizing what he himself (Trump) did as part of his argument that it was not a crime. And, also, Blagoevich also argued it was not a crime. Exactly. He sees someone just like himself who royally kissed his ass. I suppose that counts as compassion in his book, but it’s consistent with a pattern of normalizing corruption. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121/80 "2020-02-19T20:32:31Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > What’s to prevent Trump from obtaining a complete list of all prison inmates, and pardoning them all, just to show who’s boss? Not the Legislative Branch, apparently. \*\* The actual limit is: he can only screw with federal convictions. State Level junk remains beyond his grasp. But I suppose he could pull some governor’s strings. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121.md?page=5)