How would pardons help Dump?

[SHRED]

My understanding is that if he pardons anyone they would lose their right to plead the 5th and therefore be compelled to testify fully or face further recrimination.

[bearsfootball516]

1. You're correct, and it would also be devastating in the public eye.

His base would like it, but the optics would look awful and it would likely swing independents to voting Democratic in November, and this would be the worst possible time for him to do it with midterms around the corner.

[NurseJackie]

2. I'd heard this too. Is it legal theory or legal fact?

I think the pardons he's considering would also put him in danger of additional obstruction charges. (I say "additional" because I'm certain that Mueller already has others queued up and ready to go.)

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. Timing is important. If he waits too long they might talk anyway or he might not get the chance. .nt

[Mr. Ected]

4. My guess is, the penalties for perjury couldn't be as severe as the sentences doled out

So if Manafort was pardoned and then lied on the stand, not only could the perjury penalty be pardoned, but a few days in jail versus a life sentence is a no-brainer.

Please note, this is not an informed opinion.

The other thing is, Trump's actions, regardless of their egregiousness, do not seem to shock and anger anyone but us. His base takes him at his word, and many Americans on the margins pay no attention to Washington at all.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. I think he doesn't understand how it all works.

He seems to be hinting at pardons as a reward for not talking to the investigators, but he doesn't seem to get the part about the pardonee losing his Fifth Amendment protection (because he no longer needs it) and therefore being compelled to testify anyhow. The lawyers have probably explained all these things but Spanky believes what he believes. Also, he likes being able to pardon total reprobates like Arpaio, just because he can and nobody can stop him.

[Cartoonist]

6. Modern testimony

"I don't remember."

All those pardoned will have amnesia.

[unblock]

7. it's all in the timing. the *promise* of the pardon is the key.

the actual pardon is something a self-serving president would only want to do near the end of his time in office. as long as the witness needs the president to still do something, the witness may do his bidding. once the pardon is inked, the pardoned person no longer needs the president for anything (though he may well feel inclined to be kind in return).

once someone is pardoned, they can no longer refuse to testify, though this applies narrowly to situations in which answering may incriminate themselves *specifically in the pardoned crimes/charges*.

the pardoned person can still use the 5th amendment to refuse to testify if answering the question might tend to incriminate themselves in either a state crime or in a federal crime that wasn't covered by the pardon.