May Hope and History Rhyme (Trump#116)

[lionheart]

With thanks to Seamus Heaney for inspiring the President Elect.

"History says, don't hope
On this side of the grave.
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme."

www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/senators-asks-justice-department-watchdog-investigate-federal-executions-under-trump-n1252079

I wonder if after all this lunacy, something will be put into place to stop future presidents from having the power to do this. Absolute madness in my opinion that nobody can veto this.

Surely after losing an election there should be a panel to vote on any future policies or controversial pardons. Or am I being naive?

And now he is having a go at the coronavirus relief bill (whilst still saying that the next administration could be him)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55420366

Trump is spending his last few weeks in office executing poor people and pardoning rich people.

@Grrrpredictivetex I agree with you. Trump's behaviour is unprecedented, though; previous presidents have behaved with dignity in defeat and done all they could to ensure a smooth transition of power to the incoming administration. Because they accept that the voters are the ones who decide which of the candidates is to be President.

@DuncinToffee

Trump is spending his last few weeks in office executing poor people and pardoning rich people.

Wow. He really is.

List of those pardoned:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/22/who-trump-pardon-guide-george-papadopoulos-duncan-hunter

Includes a dentist jailed for healthcare insurance fraud – and is a mate of Ben Carson.

@DuncinToffee

Trump is spending his last few weeks in office executing poor people and pardoning rich people.

This is so 'right on' it isn't funny.

Now that we're in the 'death throes' (under 30 days) the insanity and narcissistic 'revenge' is really going to ramp up IMHO. The only thing keeping him from going full 'murder hornet' right now is the 6 Jan joint session confirming the election.

I really believe that he thinks he's going to 'pull off' invalidating enough state's votes for the election to be thrown to the HoR. There is no one more delusional when it comes to their 'power' than a malignant narcissist. When that fails to come to pass it's going to be 'Katie, bar the door'!!

Great response from Pelosi. I presume Trump is suggesting $2,000 payments to look good and to maximise government debt before Biden is inaugurated.

Ultimately the Constitution is only as strong as the people that enforce it.

Team Trump knew that going in, and were probably encouraged by seeing how the UK collapsed into corruption so easily.

Both countries sacrificed liberty for security. And we're both paying the Franklin Dollar price for it.

I'm seriously worried that Trump will pardon Derek Chauvin (the policeman who knelt on George Floyd's neck until he died), possibly the day before Biden's inauguration then sit back and watch the country erupt in flames.
It's just the sort of dreadful thing he'd enjoy doing.

BruceAndNosh - Oh no no no no!!!! he wouldn't dare! would he?.....

@maggiethecat Unfortunately, I wouldn't put anything past Trump right now.

@BruceAndNosh

I'm seriously worried that Trump will pardon Derek Chauvin (the policeman who knelt on George Floyd's neck until he died), possibly the day before Biden's inauguration then sit back and watch the country erupt in flames. It's just the sort of dreadful thing he'd enjoy doing.

Is it a federal offence ? If not, Trump gets to Fuck. Right. Off.

BruceAndNosh what a truly horrible thought. Let's hope Trump isn't that clever. He's certainly capable of it, but would it occur to him?

Are presidential pardons general (ie: anything before x date) or specific charges? And can the next president undo them?

@terrywynne

Are presidential pardons general (ie: anything before x date) or specific charges? And can the next president undo them?

All good questions that as far as I know the courts have never been bothered with.

Every is assuming from precedent. But given how Trump has pissed on precedent from a great height the irony of his pardons also being unprecedentedly challenged can't be over stressed.

Also, by definition, a pardon implies guilty. Innocent men don't need pardons. So calling anyone pardoned by Trump a no good criminal is fair game. And depicting them in drama as criminals seems a safe bet too.

johnpavlovitz.com/2019/02/04/when-someone-you-love-joins-a-cult/

I wouldn't put it past him at all, or he'll choose an equally hideous example to create the same dumpster fire.

@terrywynne

Are presidential pardons general (ie: anything before x date) or specific charges? And can the next president undo them?

They can be for specific crimes named in the pardon (X offense only but not for any other convictions) or they can be general (every conviction) or pre-emptive (crimes committed, convictions, and/or those that haven't been discovered).

Nixon's was a pre-emptive pardon. I think that the pardons Scrotus has granted are specific pardons. That is, pardons for specific convictions but not for crimes not yet discovered (if any).

Oh, and as expected Scrotus has vetoed the Defense Bill. All because they included renaming bases, limiting money that can be spent on the border wall, and refused to include the repeal of the Section 230.

www.cnn.com/2020/12/23/politics/trump-ndaa-veto/index.html

Congress passed the bill with a veto proof majority so (hopefully) GOP Reps and Senators will stick to their principles and vote to override the veto.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-mar-a-lago-covid-bill-b1778357.html

Let's hope he stays hidden in Mar-a-Lago, that way the White House can be deep cleaned in time for its new resident.

Among tonight's slew of (26 new) pardons: Manafort, Stone, and Charles Kushner (Jared's daddy).

Off to get the link.

Here it is:

www.cnn.com/2020/12/23/politics/trump-pardons-stone-manafort-kushner/index.html

Yep. Wonder where G. Maxwell fits in all this.

www.rawstory.com/lawyers-unleash-trump-pardons/