Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDowds Dangle Could Be Trumps Undoing
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/3/28/1752885/-Dowd-s-Dangled-Could-Be-Trumps-UndoingDowds Dangle Could Be Trumps Undoing
By Blue Tsunami
Thursday Mar 29, 2018 · 12:53 AM EDT
Reports that Trump personal lawyer John Dowd dangled a promise of pardons to Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort last year should come as a surprise to no one. If there is a cheap, underhanded way to duck responsibility, you can count on Trump and his cheap, underhanded gang of attorneys to exploit it.
But, much like the legal fiasco engulfing Trump fixer Michael Cohen and laffaire Stormy, Dowds efforts to shield Trump may backfire.
Some pundits are already arguing that Trump would merely be exercising his presidential powers if he granted pardons. But, Alex Whiting at Just Security counters that debates over presidential pardon powers are not relevant in the case where a pardon is privately discussed but never publicly granted:
Indeed, that entire debate can be set aside for the moment. Why? Because theres been no pardon. Instead, a pardon has only been dangled before Flynn and Manafort, and the analysis of whether that action could become part of an obstruction case against Trump raises entirely different considerations.
Whiting explains if Trump were to grant Flynn and Manafort pardons, it would have to occur in a public setting and Trump would have to face the public consequences. Since the pardon power is generally accepted to be absolute, the only remedy would be political, by impeachment. But, the situation is different if the pardon is merely suggested:
Because a pardon dangle is secret and seeks to discourage cooperation with an ongoing investigation without public scrutiny or consequences, it should be analyzed differently than a pardon when it comes to an obstruction case. Because of the way a pardon dangle operates, it should acquire none of the deference that might be afforded an actual pardon, and if the dangle is found to be orchestrated with a corrupt motive, it should qualify as a potential act of obstruction of justice.
Dowd has vociferously denied that a dangle ever occurred. Perhaps, the attorneys for Flynn and Manafort will have a different story. Robert Muellers investigators are sure to find out.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
2 replies, 2212 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (25)
ReplyReply to this post
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Dowds Dangle Could Be Trumps Undoing (Original Post)
babylonsister
Mar 2018
OP
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,498 posts)1. Dowd's "dangle"? Mr. Tiny Hands IS the dangle... and a small one at that!!
Funtatlaguy
(11,525 posts)2. Its the angle of the dangle.
Do you dress to the right or the left?
Ummmm, excuse me, you pervert. That is completely nunya bizness.