Let's not overlook the monstrous common thread in all Trump's pardons.

[Atticus]

His justification or rationale for each was that the conviction and sentence was "not fair" IN HIS SOLE OPINION! And, that nakedly reveals how he believes the power of the federal law enforcement apparatus should be employed: AS HE SEES FIT, PERIOD!

In each of these cases, the system worked as it was designed to work and as Americans have expected it to work for the past 250 years or so. But, to this arrogant---"person"---that just didn't matter. Donny wanted to spit in the face of every American not infected with the MAGA virus and so he did!

If you listen carefully, you just might hear little Donny crowing: "Neener- neener, LOSERS!"

[PoliticAverse]

1. You really think the "system worked" in the Jack Johnson case? n/t

[Atticus]

5. No. My bad. I have no problem with that pardon even though Trump's

motivation for it was no purer than the other pardons. Thanks for calling me on it.

[DBoon]

2. If he alone can pardon someone based on what he thinks is "fair"

This implies he thinks he should also be able to imprison someone using the same rationalization.

Hence "Lock her up"

[unblock]

3. i don't have a problem in general with a president using his own judgment.

however, it should be done with great deference to the usual process. the problem with donnie's pardons is not that he's overruling the judicial system -- that's the whole point of a pardon.

the problem is that he's flip about it. he hasn't been deliberative and deferential. he hasn't been reluctant to step in. instead, he's been very cavalier about it.


worse, the pattern emerging is that he's eager to pardon privileged crooks. you know, people like himself.

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. Commuting Rod Blagojevich would also be a slap at Illinois where he isn't very popular.