# What effect would an acquittal have on Trump's future behaviour? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 30, 2020, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215 "2020-01-30T09:58:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [February 1, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/41 "2020-02-01T22:39:04Z")
The very first thing Trump, Barr, Pompeo and others will do is to continue with what they’ve been doing: draining the federal bureaucracy of civic-minded civil servants. You wanna work for Trump’s CIA? Wanna work for Trump’s FBI, DoJ, or DoD? Show them you want to be there. Show loyalty. I don’t mean he can necessarily drive all of the millions of individual employees out, just the influential ones - the ones who supervise the rest. They’ll change the culture. And once you break that culture of public service and replace it with fealty, corruption, and quid pro quo, it’s broken for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Call_Me.Tim)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/42 "2020-02-02T21:52:36Z")
The title of the thread taken literally would be a comparison between acquittal and removal from office, the answer of which is obviously he couldn’t commit after removal. The OP talks about the entire impeachment process. It seems fairly obvious to me that going through this process will lead the apparatus of government to try to avoid similarity in malfeasance in the future. They’ll have learned a bit about the flaws in their communications system, weeded out even more of the people who might blow the whistle. The rank and file, if not Trump, will have learned how better to cover up their misdeeds during this pressure test. I’m amazed at how optimistic others on this board seem to be by giving the second two responses - that it won’t get worse, or that his administration will simply repeat more of the same level of corruption. I think they will be less likely to do the same thing again- now they’ve tested for leaks and gotten some practice in they will be more bold and blatant. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/43 "2020-02-02T22:16:57Z")
I don’t see anything in the Constitution about not being impeached twice for the same offense - maybe the Dems will have another go at it if and when Bolton’s book comes out. In answer to the OP, no change in anyone’s behavior - not Trump, not the Dems, not nobody. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![OsoPolar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4bbf92/32.png) [@OsoPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OsoPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/44 "2020-02-03T18:33:59Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Then I believe he wants a show stopper. It feels self-evident that some Republican governor will get the National Guard (and hey, why not some militia members) out to “protect” voting places from in-person “voter fraud.” ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/45 "2020-02-11T22:46:25Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > You missed an obvious option: > > Trump will become completely unhinged and find new crimes to commit since he now feels immune from all consequences. I think I’ve been proven correct on this one. The orange one is going ape. Way beyond what he’s done in the past. His evil nature has been given free rein. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/46 "2020-02-12T06:08:33Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > > [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > > > Trump will become completely unhinged and find new crimes to commit since he now feels immune from all consequences. > > I think I’ve been proven correct on this one. The orange one is going ape. Way beyond what he’s done in the past. His evil nature has been given free rein. Could you elaborate on these “new crimes”? The only recent scandal I’ve read about has been the firing of impeachment witnesses. As discussed in other threads here, this may be reprehensible but it’s completely legal. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2020, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/47 "2020-02-12T06:24:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I voted no change. As far as I can see, Trump has never believed the rules that other people have to follow apply to him. A Senate acquittal won’t tell him anything he doesn’t already believe is true. It’s looking like I may have been wrong. It appears we’re only now seeing what Trump is like when he feels no sense of restraint. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/48 "2020-02-12T16:08:50Z")
Psychonaut, Of course it’s all legal. There is nothing illegal about Trump using his office to give relief to his political friends and punish his political enemies. But, he an McConnel have day jobs, they’re supposed to be governing. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/49 "2020-02-12T16:33:46Z")
I voted more likely and was proven right. This business with the Roger Stone sentencing shows how corrupt both him and Barr are. I don’t see what difference the sentence would have made, the fucker is going to be pardoned anyway. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/50 "2020-02-12T16:48:15Z")
I voted more likely as well because Trump is a petty vindictive son of a bitch and Republicans don’t have the integrity to do anything about it because Trump is giving them their way. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/51 "2020-02-12T21:13:29Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I voted more likely and was proven right. This business with the Roger Stone sentencing shows how corrupt both him and Barr are. You might be able to try something on Barr, although it would be a stretch to say the least. > [@](#): > > The New York Times reported that a DOJ spokesperson confirmed the DOJ did not consult with the White House regarding their revised recommendation to the court. That spokesperson also said Barr was not aware of the president’s tweet and that the decision to reel in the earlier sentencing recommendation had been made prior to Trump’s tweet. [Cite](https://thefederalist.com/2020/02/12/why-a-nine-year-prison-sentence-for-roger-stone-is-insane/). If you want to condemn Trump based on facts not in evidence, feel free of course. > [@Crane](#): > > He can accept emoluments from foreign governments. That’s actually up to Congress - [not just the Democrats](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/emoluments-trump-democrats.html). So it appears that it is the Dems who are now to be constrained in their more excitable moments. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/52 "2020-02-12T22:46:54Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > You might be able to try something on Barr, although it would be a stretch to say the least. > > > [@](#): > > > > The New York Times reported that a DOJ spokesperson confirmed the DOJ did not consult with the White House regarding their revised recommendation to the court. That spokesperson also said Barr was not aware of the president’s tweet and that the decision to reel in the earlier sentencing recommendation had been made prior to Trump’s tweet. Those statements could be technically true, if, for example, Trump made a phone call (or directed one of his underlings to do so) to Barr or someone else at DOJ before he tweeted. And receiving word about the president’s strongly-held wishes, possibly second- or third-hand, doesn’t technically qualify as “consulting with the White House,” does it? It may have filtered down from one of his caporegimes, but there is no way in hell that Trump wasn’t the prime mover for this shitshow. ---
**Author:** ![str8cashhomie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7cd45c/32.png) [@str8cashhomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/str8cashhomie)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/53 "2020-02-12T23:10:52Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Those statements could be technically true, if, for example, Trump made a phone call (or directed one of his underlings to do so) to Barr or someone else at DOJ before he tweeted. And receiving word about the president’s strongly-held wishes, possibly second- or third-hand, doesn’t technically qualify as “consulting with the White House,” does it? > > It may have filtered down from one of his caporegimes, but there is no way in hell that Trump wasn’t the prime mover for this shitshow. I don’t think you need to parse Kerri Kupec’s words to that degree. Trump Admin spokespeople have blatantly made things up enough times with no consequence that you can completely disregard what they say. The most convincing evidence we have of Barr and Trump’s role in this is the timeline. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215/54 "2020-02-13T16:01:57Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > It may have filtered down from one of his caporegimes, but there is no way in hell that Trump wasn’t the prime mover for this shitshow. As I said, if you want to assume based on no evidence… Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-acquittal-have-on-trumps-future-behaviour/847215.md?page=2)