>

Actually it's a "consciousness of fuck off".
Trump has done exactly nothing that an innocent person would. It's not the erratic behavior or the worry, but how he's made so many moves and plans to cover up schemes. It's not like he has some cutesy embarrassing secret. This is the highest office in our country. He's implicated himself via sheer arrogance. >


Trump has done exactly nothing that an innocent person would.

It's also serving as a refuge in audacity though. Kind of like "Everyone knows I'm innocent, so I can do whatever it takes to shake off the meanies bullying me." More like everyone knows he's one of the dumbest humans alive propped up by narcissism, generational wealth, and white grievance. >

I'm less inclined to include white grievance in the list because that particular nonsensical worldview requires some semblance of thought (and flawed of course). Trumps actions and blatherings seem more akin to a Pavlovian response tied to a one dimensional short list of ideas that nearly overwhelm the two working brain cells that comprise his bandwidth. >

I guess I should have been more clear. I agree it's not his own white grievance (he cares for one person only and that's himself) but rather he is supported in part because of others' racism. Conservatives in the US felt absolutely slapped in the face when Obama got up there, and then with Trump saying things that might have been political suicide for others, they saw a savior in him. >


but rather he is supported in part because of others' racism.

He's just as racist as his supporters. He got busted once for discriminating against non-white applicants to his rental properties, even when their financial status was just fine. >

A Constitution that would allow a President to pardon co-conspirators and co-felons is a complete failure when it comes to protecting democracy. >

In 1787 at the Constitutional Convention, George Mason objected to the ability of the President to pardon saying, “ought not to have the power of pardoning, because he may frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself. It may happen, at some future day, that he will establish a monarchy, and destroy the republic. If he has the power of granting pardons before indictment, or conviction, may he not stop inquiry and prevent detection?”. >

The founding fathers were like "don't let religious people run things, don't form political parties, don't have a standing military and pardons are probably a bad idea" yet here we are today. 
Makes you wonder why conservatives worship the founding fathers so much. Maybe they're arguing in bad faith or something. >

A cherry picked list of values. There are plenty of beliefs held by the FF and Conservatives like the value of a racial hierarchy, that women should be second class citizens, and that negotiations with groups that are "others" can be done in bad faith. >

Lincoln would not recognize what the GOP has become. Not a founding father of course, but in the top 2 for greatest president of our nation >

Who would be the other one? >

I think it’s generally undisputed that General Washington takes number one. Beat the british, voluntarily gave up power after 8 years. Hard to top >

Uhh my guy FDR is the greatest president we ever had. >

Wrong Roosevelt. >

Nah, Teddy was alright. >

“Two of those [charges] do require that sort of cognizance,” she added. “Conspiracy to defraud the United States requires knowledge of fraud. Obstruction of an official proceeding requires a corrupt intent. To demonstrate those intents, one of the things prosecutors can use in evidence is consciousness of guilt as evidenced by this [Trump’s] desire to have blanket pardons.” >

Yes. He knows what he did was wrong. But he is selfish and doesn’t care that it’s wrong. Everyone else is actually wrong for not letting him do what he wants. How dare anyone get in his way of what he wants??!!! >

I look forward to the day when America can finally shake off its shackles and stop playing peekaboo with fascist/authoritarianism. >

The reason why that game of peakaboo works is because of lack of object permanency in large swathes of its population.
Hey look, the previous President stored highly sensitive classified national security secrets that he’s not supposed to have in a pool shed…
Nevermind, here’s a car chase…
Next up, Hunter Bidens laptop. A bad thing to happen to America or the worst, we’ll let you decide just how horrendous it is just after these messages.
BUY CATHETERS AND PILLOWS
Another car chase, the helicopter shot shows this guy is clearly black…
Hunter Biden. American scumbag. Now time for the weather.
It’s fucking cold today, therefore Global Warming doesn’t exist. Climate change isn’t real! >

I'm not American but I'm really hoping the Catheters comment is related to John Oliver's Catheter Cowboy ads >

Well they're both joking that a whole lot of ads on right-wing media are for old people stuff. Catheters, incontinence supplies, diabetic shoes, snake oil cures, fall prevention, colostomy bags, retirement funds, medicare insurance. That kind of thing. >

Yep. He said he's clairvoyant recently.
So the plan is "I pardoned myself for things I saw myself doing in the future." 
Oh I dunno personmanwomancameratv. >

we learned quite a few things about our government rules and customs while under trump.  many have no real teeth to force the executive branch to follow them.  impeachment?  that's a joke.   as for the pardon, it's a joke that anyone can blanket pardon or pardon someone not convicted.  I think at the very least, someone who hasn't been found guilty yet should have to admit their guilt before a pardon is officially accepted.  how do we know what they are being pardoned for if they don't admit to what they did?  if we find out they committed bank fraud a few years ago or murdered someone, would that be covered by a blanket pardon?  it's dumb >

While I agree Trump prompted many to learn things about our government, the issues surrounding preemptive and blanket pardons go back to Ford's pardon of Nixon, if not even further.

how do we know what they are being pardoned for if they don't admit to what they did?

Usually, if done appropriately, the pardons are recorded and often made public.  Even if it's a "secret" pardon, it will become public once it's filed in court.  It has no overt meaning until after conviction, but it presumably could be submitted in the relevant trial which could influence prosecutors to drop the case.  In either case, it's likely up to the judge involved to ascertain the applicability.

if we find out they committed bank fraud a few years ago or murdered someone, would that be covered by a blanket pardon?

This depends.  But the safest answer to give you is "yes".  It boils down to what is specified in the pardon.  Keep in mind, any pardon can only pertain to the domain of the related government.  A blanket pardon from the governor of Arkansas means diddly squat to a crime committed in Florida.  Similarly, any federal pardon can never apply to any state crime, and vice versa.  But within the appropriate domain, if the pardon simply states "any crime" within a specified time period (as was the case for Ford's pardon of Nixon), then it well and truly does mean any crime.
Conversely, Carter's pardon of draft dodgers was more restricted in one sense while much more open in another.  The crime was more tightly defined while the audience was practically anyone.
It can be strongly argued that both of these examples of blanket pardons were meant to kill any forthcoming prosecution than to reverse any punishment upon conviction.
Keep in mind, that even if a particular example of this ruffles your feathers greatly, if you can pull back and generalize, it could be considered a useful tool of the executive to implement a broad change in policy.  As such, it could even be viewed as a balance of power issue - a check of the executive against the legislature.
Furthermore, as goofy as it sounds, to curtail the power of the pardon we need these egregious uses to be fought and brought to the Supreme Court.  Things might be very different today had people fought against Ford's pardon.  I, for one, really wanted Trump to issue a self-pardon.  There's nothing that clearly calls that out as illegal or unconstitutional.  To me, this is a problem - a loophole that must be closed. >

He does not feel guilt, but is adept at avoiding consequences. >

"Consciousness of guilt" isn't a reference to feeling remorse but being aware of punishment and/or being convicted in court for certain actions.  In court, the prosecutor can use certain actions as evidence of a crime.  Basically, if you can point to something the defendant did and say "They would only do that if they knew they broke the law."  Another example of this is witness tampering, the only reason someone would want to tamper with a witness is if they didn't want the witness to tell the truth. >

If remorse was required, psychopaths would skate every time. >

Luckily this isn't about remorse, its about whether you think you will be found guilty in court >

It needs to be clearly stated out loud like this in today’s hyper-partisan world.
But, also: duh-uhhhh. >

In world history there has always been terrible people in power doing terrible things. Until recently, it seemed impossible that modern societies wouldn't recognize and prevent the past from repeating itself.   I think Trump will be studied for many years to prevent complacency and to warn future populations/societies of just how quickly and easily minds can be misinformed, corrupted, and eventually weaponized.  Remember these days.  We are watching history in real time. >

The most needlessly drawn out police chase ever. It’s like they’re really banking on him dying or something. >

I think he’ll be prosecuted and convicted but the thought of him running on a 3rd party ticket and splitting the Republican vote in 2024 is also a good outcome. >

Wow no shit >

He's a criminal >

No end to his horrible works. Like giving The Godfather the power to pardon gangsters. It’s nuts and so is he. >

How can traitors give pardons? >

When the traitor is the president. >

I'm beginning to think the founding fathers may have missed a loophole or two. >

They assumed positive intent. >

Yeah, and here I've been touting their ability to understand that human nature hasn't changed in 50,000 years regardless the advances in technology that would occur later in the world's future.
But you're right - probably couldn't see this one coming at the time. >

A first year law student can prosecute this case ...he will be indicted and years from now his lawlessness will be subjected to studies for years..... >

Could Trump’s lawyers argue that he was offering these pardons as a way to combat what he believes is a corrupt system? Therefore he didn’t believe he was committing a crime?
For the record I believe he’s guilty and should be convicted and face all that’s coming to him. Just trying to figure out what his defence might be. >

WE FUCKING KNOW, ARREST THIS GODDAMN CRIMINAL ALREADY. Fuck. >

Oh, wow, you don't say >

PUT HIM IN JAIL ALREADY. So tired of hearing this endless chatter about how guilty he is. Just do it or stop talking about it and move on. >

Just wait until it goes to the Supreme Court... >

So all we have are events, testimony, consciousness of guilt, an insurrection, the death of police officers, illegal loans from North Korea, blatant support from the FSB and GRU, theft of government property, passing of classified information to national enemies, pay for play, thousands of lies, bribing and extorting foreign and domestic officials to sway the election, multiple arrests AND convictions for violations of the FARA act, and a literal pile of other criminal, treasonous, stupid, malicious, and selfish events.
I am still not convinced that warrants any kind of consequences. Surely our duopoly will prevent MORE malfeasance. I mean, they've probably been gearing up to do so for the last twenty years.
​
edit: two impeachments, multiple investigations, videos, tweets, and statements... and on.. and on... >

It's long past time to get rid of the presidential pardon. >

I look at Trump pardons and then the ones given from Bush Senior to Biden’s this past week. Out of them all the worst was really Bill Clinton’s Marc Rich. I mean that guys screwed a lot of people over and then fled to Switzerland. Trump pardon people who not only were criminals but all under his personal guard. The “blanket” here with January 6th were over all that at that point only people knew for the insurrection, but a lot we’re crimes no one knew about or had been talked about. People went crazy over Rich’s pardon 20 years ago. Everyone with Trump was: “eh it’s ok and oh they are still stealing people’s money and sanity. Hey it’s their own fault. Nothing to see here folks.” >

Don't forget about the actual psychopath war criminals he pardoned.
Even still, Flynn may have been the worst pardon. >

I don’t get the bannon pardon, it was literal obstruction of Justice in the wide open. >

Can we stop the politics and actually charge him? 
This is why the Democrat party never dominates the political spectrum.  No resolve to action. 
The GOP isn't going to charge one of its own. 
So DO something instead of just bluster.  Dear God this is infuriating to watch >

Then fucking do something about it already! The entire world knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that this man is corrupt and guilty as hell. Yet he's still allowed to go about his business as usual. >

"Pardon." Good f'ing gods. The only people who have the power to pardon someone are the victims of that someone, and/or the family members of the victims. >

What are you talking about? >

Not guilt. He’s protecting his keys to power.