Jason Miller, a top adviser to Donald Trump, was asked on CNN this morning if the president-elect would pardon himself of federal charges he faced, once he takes office.

Trump was indicted last year for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election, and for possessing and hiding classified documents. The justice department special counsel leading the prosecution, Jack Smith, last week dropped those charges, thought kept open the possibility that they could be reinstated at a future time.

Once he is inaugurated, Trump has the power to issue himself a pardon that could end his legal trouble for good. CNN asked Miller if Trump would do that, and he responded:

“That would never be something that I would weigh in on. That would be something for the legal team to discuss. And again, President Trump did nothing wrong.”

  • DarkFuture@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    Lol.

    None of this matters.

    We know, definitively, that the rule of law does not apply to select individuals in this country. It’s not a hypothetical anymore. There are people simply above the law in our society. Which makes our justice system a sham from top to bottom. We’re no better than any other oligarchy, despite the lifetime of propaganda we’ve been subjected to in order to make us believe otherwise.

    Buckle up. We’re the new Russia. Only goes downhill from here.

  • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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    He’s also facing state charges that literally threaten his freedom. He absolutely will not go quietly in 2028. Like people were saying over and over during the election…

      • Asafum@feddit.nl
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        Y’all liked Comeys Hillary Clinton email investigations right before the election? That’s what’s on the menu for the next one with Trump’s lapdog… Best part about this time is there will be literally 0 evidence and they’ll just say whatever they want and the dumbshit corporate media, who by then will be licking Trump’s boots to keep their money, will run with whatever story is given.

        I for one am “looking forward” to the " we’ve proven Elizabeth Warren is a Chinese asset, stole documents, and harbors a spy" story along with whatever other colorful bullshit they decide to fabricate.

        I don’t think they’ll need to rig the election other than by rigging the media output.

    • peopleproblems@lemmy.world
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      That’s sort of what I was thinking reading this headline. “Does it matter?”

      He doesn’t exactly need the pardon now. I don’t know how the GOP is cool rejecting his picks for his cabinet, but based on history if Trump gets his way none of the processes we have in place will mean much.

      I suppose I should get more comfortable camping huh.

  • Gerudo@lemm.ee
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    I love how everyone answers this like they have no idea if he will or not.

    Of course he fucking will.

  • roy_mustang76@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    He’s absolutely going to pardon himself, or maybe someone will convince him to let a potential President Vance do it in 2029.

    But that pardon is happening, and if somehow his successor is not his handpicked person, he’ll do it himself

  • PugJesus@lemmy.world
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    Maybe he won’t.

    Until the last minute.

    That way all the useful idiots can point and say “SEE?! He DIDN’T PARDON HIMSELF” until it’s far too late for the fucking morons to stop anything that Trump et co want to do.

    • skulblaka@sh.itjust.works
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      Nah he’s not that smart. We’ll see the self pardon on day 1. I’ve got good betting odds on him attempting to pardon himself for state crimes too, which he can’t do, but he’s damn sure to try.

  • affiliate@lemmy.world
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    trump will do things even if he said he wouldn’t. if trump is refusing to say he won’t do something, you can bet food money on him doing that thing.

  • Rhaedas@fedia.io
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    Constitutionally there isn’t a restriction for a self pardon. However it goes against the definition of the word and action. Some things by meaning you don’t do towards yourself. That probably won’t matter, since its validity is up to the courts and we know how they’re stacked to do what he wants.

    • dhork@lemmy.world
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      That’s why Biden’s pardon of his son is so interesting. He’s not the first President to pardon a family member, but Hunter Biden is such a central character in the Conservative Cinematic Universe that I’m sure that there are a lot of MAGAts in Congress itching to impeach him over it…

      … and I bet a bunch of Democrats get on board, too! Because whether or not Hunter Biden goes to jail ultimately doesn’t matter in the long run. But establishing some bounds for the pardon power is essential, and the SCOTUS has effectively ruled that he can exercise his official powers however he wants, and only Congress can hold him to account.

      It would be hilarious if someone like MTG introduced an impeachment resolution over it, only to have to walk it back when many Democrats support it, and Senate Democrats back it, too, and the impeachment ends up having more to do with putting bounds on the next President than punishing the current one.

      • wjrii@lemmy.world
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        I kind of like the idea of impeaching Biden solely to allow Kamala to be president for a few days/weeks, meaning Trump has to toss all his “47” merch and have it re-made with “48.”

        Oh, and also constitutional guide-rails I guess.

        • njm1314@lemmy.world
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          You say that like it would be a bad thing for Trump. That just means all of his worshipers will buy all new stuff. You see NBA players do this sometimes when they change numbers. Right after they do their jersey sales Skyrocket.

  • ianhclark510
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    He should pull a Biden, deny it until the last second and then pardon himself while he’s a lame duck