I don't think trump needs to pardon himself.

[docgee]

I think by claiming to run for president 2024, he thinks he will be immune to federal prosecution because he can proclaim Biden is going after his political rivals.

I still hope the state of NY goes after him.

[pwb]

1. Running in 2024 is meant to keep him out of Jail?

Act like he is innocent of the many crimes he has committed in life and while in the White House. How can he be guilty if he is running again is a lie for the base.

[docgee]

7. Yes, what I'm saying is he can play the victim well for the media and his base.

He will whine and cry that he is being prosecuted because he is the political opponent. You know how half the country will buy that.

I'm not saying that will entirely work, but it could be in his thought process.

[exboyfil]

2. He already called for locking up Clinton, Biden, and Obama

As well as authorizing and leaning on several investigations.

[LexVegas]

3. ...

[Chainfire]

4. Trump has no claim to protection from prosecution at any level.

When he leaves the White House, he could run for God, and that wouldn't give him immunity from prosecution.

His best way of saving himself would be to resign now, based upon mental instability, continue to claim that he is the President, and offer up an insanity defense. Who could argue against that? Maybe that is what his current behavior is all about, because the man is acting like, in modern psychological terminology, "Batshit Crazy."

[cdn-liberal]

5. How you do pardon yourself before you are accused?

It seems to me that trump cant pardon himself for accusations that might happen. He would need to be accused / convicted / sentenced first - only then the pardon could happen. Or am I missing some legal concept that allows him to do that pre-crime?

I think those looking to go after him would be smart to not bring charges until he is out of office.

[euphorb]

11. Aside from the unresolved question of whether he can pardon himself,

in general, past crimes can be pardoned even before the person is charged or convicted. However, one cannot be pardoned for future crimes (that is, crimes to be committed after the date of the pardon). Remember that Ford pardoned Nixon for any Watergate-related crimes, even though Nixon had not been charged with anything.

[Chainfire]

14. If I remember right, Nixon was pardoned for anything he might have done

[Cuthbert Allgood]

19. Pardoned for crimes possibly committed prior to the pardon.

That's how pardoning works.

[Thomas Hurt]

6. I think he will claim to be running in 2024 to play victim...but it won't keep him...

from going to jail. His "money", his age, and the fact that he hasn't been convicted before will keep him from prison.

I think they will try to fine him bigly. Then he will instantly become destitute.

[Turin_C3PO]

9. I hope the courts

order all of his assets seized. Even with no jail time, it would be a measure of justice.

[gordianot]

13. Trump may well have a fatal disease that could kill him by 2024.

Trump is bankrupt now with his loans underwater. As he sells off his assets he will find he has no revenue stream. Declaring himself a 2024 candidate will also dry up foreign money and put a new target on his back. A finally bankrupt Donald Trump is a destitute Donald. A destitute Donald is most likely a dead Donald.

[Turin_C3PO]

18. If he owes money to Russia,

he might wanna avoid balconies and food that he hasn’t prepared himself. Putin and his mobsters aren’t playing around.

[gordianot]

23. He provides them so much disruption I doubt Russia will kill him.

Those bets are off with Iran and possibly China. I doubt China would bother him they play the long game.

[themaguffin]

8. No, as along as he doesn't concede, he can beg for campaign money.

[dem4decades]

10. Can the Biden Administration release the full Mueller Report?

[obamanut2012]

12. Yes

[dem4decades]

22. Looking forward to it.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

15. And other countries won't give a flying fuck

about supposed immunity from prosecution.

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/100214538300

[crickets]

16. Go, Scotland! nt

[Happy Hoosier]

17. I'm sure he thinks that.

And I think it depends upon whom Biden picks for AG.

Personally, I think we need accountability. And we don't get it, we're inviting more of the same.

[Turin_C3PO]

20. Someone must hold him,

Miller, and Barr accountable. Trump can be tried by New York state and the other two can be prosecuted by the DOJ.

[Happy Hoosier]

21. I agree.

I don't think we can just "move on" and pretend like there wasn't an attempt at a fascist take-over.