Can Trump Pardon Himself?

@josie_ (9763)

Philippines

June 4, 2018 7:20pm CST

"When the president does it, that means it is not illegal" ~ Richard Nixon, 37th US President Pardon _Define as an executive power of a Governor or President to forgive a person CONVICTED OF A CRIME Trump tweeted that he "have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong" Trump fans may support that part of the statement about the president not doing anything wrong. But what about the idea of a president pardoning himself? Would there have been an outcry from Trump supporters if it were the Clintons or Obama who thought the presidency gave them some sort of "Divine rights" to pardon themselves for any wrong doings? This should be treated as a non-partisan question. Does a president have the legal right to pardon himself? (Let's ignore the morality of the action or the silly notion that no one is above the law.

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12 people like this

14 responses

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)

• United States

5 Jun 18

It would be abuse of power and position to pardon oneself, and it would seriously impede justice. No, the president has no right to pardon himself.

3 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

5 Jun 18

The US constitution is not clear on who the sitting president can or cannot pardon. Even Nixon didn't exercise that prerogative and it required the incoming president Gerald Ford to issue an executive pardon for his alleged wrongdoings while in office.

2 people like this

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)

• United States

5 Jun 18

@josie_ Perhaps not, but there was some documentation drawn up after he left office suggesting that a president could not pardon himself. I forget what the document was or where it could be found but I heard about it recently. I would certainly hope that an addendum would be made after this presidency and a clear and concise wording would be included.

2 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

5 Jun 18

@ScribbledAdNauseum _There were allegation Ford struck a deal with Nixon. That the latter resign in exchange for a full pardon. Their close friendship may have been part of the reason but Ford later justified the pardon as a way to start the healing process that divided the country and move on. We will have to wait and see how events play out and if Trump does pardon himself.

1 person likes this

@db20747 (43426)

• Washington, District Of Columbia

5 Jun 18

That's a good questioning!!! Need 2/look that up!!!

3 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

5 Jun 18

If ever Trump actually pardon himself, the legality of the action would probably be raise in the US supreme court.

2 people like this

@db20747 (43426)

• Washington, District Of Columbia

5 Jun 18

@josie_ good point!!!

2 people like this

@allknowing (130066)

• India

5 Jun 18

Is it a part of the constitution? Then no questions asked I assume.

3 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

5 Jun 18

The US constitution gave the president vast executive powers among which is the legal right to grant clemency and pardons. However it did not specify who a president can or cannot pardon.

2 people like this

@jstory07 (134458)

• Roseburg, Oregon

5 Jun 18

I do not think the President has the right to pardon himself.

3 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

5 Jun 18

That would probably be the consensus of the majority of ordinary citizens but there appears to be no legal restriction to say he can't.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (458008)

• Switzerland

5 Jun 18

In my opinion NO, a President should not have the right to pardon himself. Presidents are not God and they must respect the laws. Even if this should be possible (I have to check) what he said is disturbing and shocking.

2 people like this

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@LadyDuck (458008)

• Switzerland

6 Jun 18

@josie_ For what I understand from religious people on this site God rules every single minutes of their life. This is also what the nuns told us "remember that God looks at you". Anyway I think that Trump could try to pardon himself, he would be immediately impeached.

2 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

6 Jun 18

@LadyDuck _With the Republicans controlling both houses of legislature, an impeachment would be difficult to pass.

2 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

6 Jun 18

US presidents are more powerful than "God". They decide the fate of millions. God only sits on judgment day but Trump still has three years sitting in the most powerful seat on Earth.

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@Daljinder (23231)

• Bangalore, India

3 Oct 18

The power to pardon is ambiguous in US Constitution. He can definitely exploit it. He is not above exploiting anything anyways no, is he?

2 people like this

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@Daljinder (23231)

• Bangalore, India

4 Oct 18

@josie_ Like the one around his Presidency? It is already forgotten. What can people do if "powers that be" don't agree?

2 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

5 Oct 18

@Daljinder _Many governments have been toppled by "people power". India's Mahatma Gandhi non-violence resistance movement is one example

2 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

3 Oct 18

That would cause a public out cry and mass protest.

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@allen0187 (58444)

• Philippines

5 Jun 18

No. Goes to sow how much he doesn't know.

2 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

6 Jun 18

People give him little credit for his intelligence but he is "street smart".

1 person likes this

@allen0187 (58444)

• Philippines

8 Jun 18

@josie_ I don't think he is street smart.

1 person likes this

@xander6464 (40872)

• Wapello, Iowa

29 Sep 18

Currently, it's an open question but I hope that the courts would decide that no, he can't pardon himself.

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@xander6464 (40872)

• Wapello, Iowa

3 Oct 18

@josie_ Pence is ineligible and if we get really lucky, that will be honored.

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@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

3 Oct 18

It can be argue that no man can be the judge in a case where their personal interest is involved. Trump could follow the route of Nixon and have Mike Pence (assuming he is next in line to the presidency) grant him pardon.

1 person likes this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

3 Oct 18

@xander6464 _Why is Pence ineligible?

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@JESSY3236 (18923)

• United States

5 Jun 18

No. A bigger question is will he go quietly, or put up a fight if they do bring charges against him?

1 person likes this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

6 Jun 18

Considering his very often bursts of childish tantrums, Trump going quietly?

1 person likes this

@YrNemo (20261)

•

11 Jun 18

He would be too lucky if he could use that to not being penalized for his misdeeds.

1 person likes this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

11 Jun 18

He was born with a silver spoon and have manage to extricate himself from tough situations.

1 person likes this

@YrNemo (20261)

•

12 Jun 18

@josie_ So far, he has been THAT lucky. Let see how long will that last.

@Daelii (5619)

• United States

5 Jun 18

this is just a scary situation! which crimes could or would he pardon himself? the questions on possible treason? or the case where he may have raped a 13 year old girl? he has so many cases against him for all sorts of unlawful behaviors.

1 person likes this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

6 Jun 18

The idealistic "No one is above the law" very often do not apply to the rich and powerful. I do not believe Trump will hesitate in using this executive power to save his neck if it comes to that.

@thedevilinme (3904)

• Northampton, England

14 Jun 18

Depends how many pardons he is allowed.lol

@prakashj256 (926)

•

5 Jun 18

I think trump has gone far away with his power. Only court can do the justice. If he still doesnt obey court's order then US citizens have to take the responsibility.

2 people like this

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

5 Jun 18

The only recourse for ordinary US citizens is through the power of the ballot. They can't just take to the streets or use mob methods to overrun the White house and physically depose a sitting president.

1 person likes this

@prakashj256 (926)

•

5 Jun 18

@josie_ ohk, they have a ballot system. That's great. Everything should be done legally.

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@sh2ker (503)

• Bury, England

5 Jun 18

From what I have read nobody really knows for certain if it is technically illegal.But it is definitely an abuse of power I don’t think he would do it but can you put anything past trump.

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@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

6 Jun 18

Trump is always all about Trump and yes he would use any means if it can benefit him or get him out of a difficult situation.

• Bury, England

6 Jun 18

@josie_ Hopefully he has people around him sensible enough to tell him it’s not a good idea.Though I’m not sure he would listen if someone told him something he didn’t want to here.

1 person likes this