Thank you Lawyer Oyer! I'm hoping the next DOJ that pursues justice without fear or favor, it will be you making sure that paid-for pardons will not stand.
Seems as if a pardon which has been bought would be illegal (not faithfully executed). And hypothetically - would ongoing use of funds obtained through illegal means not break some kind of law?
I hope the States are paying close attention. El Presidente cannot pardon State offenses. And if there is a scintilla of a chance these lawbreakers have violated any state laws, there may indeed be years of angst. I envision a very long line of violators furiously waving their hands saying, "Pick me! Pick me!!" when governments start offering limited immunity deals to those willing to rollover on the offenders above them. 😁
Exactly right - the pardon power is not absolute - that was an invention of a Supreme Court that was relying in ancient common law texts and ignoring the fact that Charles I was beheaded in part for abusing his pardon power. The next real AG/DOJ should prosecute anyone where the facts support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and if someone wants to plead a pardon then let's see how the courts deal with it. But this point must be strongly made to help discourage further unlawful conduct who anticipate a pardon from this President.
I have been waiting for someone to say this. It’s reassuring to know that just because Trump says or does something. It doesn’t mean we are stuck with it. I think the majority of the people want to see the corruption end.
Host their corruption definitely affected states and I think it’s perfectly reasonable for many of these cases to be turned over the state Attorney General or large groups of state Attorney General’s to prosecute these people in the states and outside the pardon power and if the city can prosecute them. It should be done at that level. All of that needs to be looked at not just moved federally.
I have wondered this for the past year or so. Without these covers it basically would say all sorts of lawless activity is legal. Following trump’s logic the murdering of fishermen in their boats that is being conducted in the international waters of Central America would not even fall under the World Court - because he has “pardoned”. Much like going to confession and a priest’s absolving sin.
I also have come to a realization that many do not want the District of Columbia to receive statehood for this reason as well.
Thank you Lawyer Oyer! I'm hoping the next DOJ that pursues justice without fear or favor, it will be you making sure that paid-for pardons will not stand.
Seems as if a pardon which has been bought would be illegal (not faithfully executed). And hypothetically - would ongoing use of funds obtained through illegal means not break some kind of law?
Liz , couldn't the pardons of those who received pardons as a result of bribes be considered null and void since they were obtained illegally?
Thank you, Ms. Oyer. The ultimate test may be djt’s attempt at a self-pardon.
I hope the States are paying close attention. El Presidente cannot pardon State offenses. And if there is a scintilla of a chance these lawbreakers have violated any state laws, there may indeed be years of angst. I envision a very long line of violators furiously waving their hands saying, "Pick me! Pick me!!" when governments start offering limited immunity deals to those willing to rollover on the offenders above them. 😁
Exactly right - the pardon power is not absolute - that was an invention of a Supreme Court that was relying in ancient common law texts and ignoring the fact that Charles I was beheaded in part for abusing his pardon power. The next real AG/DOJ should prosecute anyone where the facts support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and if someone wants to plead a pardon then let's see how the courts deal with it. But this point must be strongly made to help discourage further unlawful conduct who anticipate a pardon from this President.
I have been waiting for someone to say this. It’s reassuring to know that just because Trump says or does something. It doesn’t mean we are stuck with it. I think the majority of the people want to see the corruption end.
I don’t understand why anybody would think that “just because Trump says it, we’re stuck with it” was ever the case.
Liz Oyer for Supreme Court chief justice!
THANKYOU! (not shouting, just speaking louder than normal out of sheer delight)
Host their corruption definitely affected states and I think it’s perfectly reasonable for many of these cases to be turned over the state Attorney General or large groups of state Attorney General’s to prosecute these people in the states and outside the pardon power and if the city can prosecute them. It should be done at that level. All of that needs to be looked at not just moved federally.
Exactly
How are pardons and clemency affected if they’re for crimes where the president granting mercy was a co-conspirator?
Even if the Supreme Court would mandate that the corrupt pardons stand, why not charge everyone who bought a pardon with bribery?
Thank you for your analysis. You’ve made my morning.
Excellent discussion of the pardon power, its abuses, and how it may be overcome when misused. It gives me hope!
Thank you Liz for all you do. 🩷
Ms Liz. Here’s my opinion: presidential pardons should be forbidden and eliminated.
I have wondered this for the past year or so. Without these covers it basically would say all sorts of lawless activity is legal. Following trump’s logic the murdering of fishermen in their boats that is being conducted in the international waters of Central America would not even fall under the World Court - because he has “pardoned”. Much like going to confession and a priest’s absolving sin.
I also have come to a realization that many do not want the District of Columbia to receive statehood for this reason as well.