Most Legal experts say a person probably can not pardon themselves-
The text and spirit of the Constitution strongly suggest the contrary.
Ever since the Constitution was written, it’s been recognized that the president’s power of pardon is broad, but not so broad as to allow him to pardon himself.
This idea stems from a legal principal established over three centuries ago in Anglo-American law. That rule is that no person may be a judge in his or her own case.
The last time this issue was floated was right before the resignation of President Richard Nixon. The Department of Justice wrote that a president may not pardon himself.
This DOJ opinion is not binding in the courts. But the reasoning of the opinion—centering on this principal that no person may be a judge in his or her own case—is compelling.
If such a self-pardon were issued, it could be challenged in court as an abuse of the Constitution, a violation of the pardon power, and not valid. The courts would likely follow the reasoning of the Office of Legal Counsel that a president may not issue a self-pardon.
There are more cites, but that one is enough. But it has never been tested.
Right, I get the ethical objections. I’m not advocating for him to do it.
It’s just, he’s done so much already that’s blatantly illegal or unconstitutional. But the power to grant pardons is given to him right there in black and white. With no explicit limitations in the text, such as “except for himself”.
With Congress and the Courts giving him a blank check to do what he likes, a self-pardon seems like pretty small potatoes in comparison. Especially since most of his crimes could still be prosecuted by the States, where his pardon power falls short.
Contrast with the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship, which is equally clear, but in the other direction, away from Trump’s desires and actions. And nobody in his camp seems to bat an eye at his overt attempts to rewrite it or overturn it by fiat.
Heaven would be out of the question and hell would be afraid he’d take over. We might just have to live with so much whining. We will be tired of all the whining.
As long as Trump is still viable he is not going to shut up. He will become the Rush Limbaugh from hell, Guaranteed audience of 20 or 30 million listeners. His ego will not let him sit down and shut up as a retired president.
If it was not for the crew who would have to take him, I’d like to see him spend his miserable life on his new Airforce One* toy, being denied landing rights, or denied entry on refuel stops, as he jankily bounces around the planet seeking someone who gives a shit about the old has-been.
(What designation does an ex-president’s plane get? Airforce Minus-one?)
Hey remember that island in Albania? Well, it’s not just wildlife sensitive. It borders a straight through which oil is transported. Oh, and it’s already got an impenetrable fortress, built in the Soviet era, with hundreds of bunkers, never used.
I can hear you saying that the Albanian leader has already called the whole deal off. I’m of the opinion that he can’t be entirely relied upon to maintain that position.
My first thought, on the whole island purchase was they were looking for a place to land, someday soon, safely NOT in the USA!