As GA case against Trump may be heating up, the answer to whether Kemp can pardon:

[hlthe2b]

Earlier we discussed whether DeSantos could refuse to extradite (no)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=17590216


So, would Kemp pardon him? Well, he CAN'T:

In Georgia, Mr. Trump cannot look to Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, for a state pardon, and not just because the two have a fractured relationship. In Georgia, pardons are granted only by the state board of pardons and paroles.

Georgia is one of the three states whose governor does not have the authority to grant clemency, although the governor retains indirect influence by virtue of his power to appoint Board members.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_State_Board_of_Pardons_and_Paroles

So, let the Schadenfreude begin~!

[agingdem]

1. Kemp is not a Trump fan..

he wants Trump gone...DeSantis wants Trump to shut up and go away..

[hlthe2b]

3. While I agree as to whether or not he'd WANT to, I'm speaking to the legalities

and he cannot (as per the discussion in the OP). Trump would have to have leveraged, blackmailed, threatened, or whatever... every member of the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles and even then it is not clear they can intervene prior to trial and sentencing--even if they wanted to.

[pnwmom]

9. And he's probably glad to be off the hook for this decision. nt

[TheRealNorth]

2. Who sits on the State Board?

People appointed by the Governor. So Kemp has a built-in excuse of, "it wasn't me." TFG and the Republicans may have been quietly putting their people in place since Jan 2021.

[hlthe2b]

4. 5 members on STAGGERED 7 year terms, so no, he can't replace them all

AND they have to be confirmed by the GA Senate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_State_Board_of_Pardons_and_Paroles

[former9thward]

7. All five members of the Board were appointed by Republicans.

2 by Kemp and 3 by previous governors.

https://pap.georgia.gov/board-members/

[hlthe2b]

8. So? Trump hasn't had the hold on GA R's that he has in other states.

They (GA R's) voted to reelect Kemp and SOS Raffensburger--despite Trump's attempts to defeat them.

[TheRealNorth]

12. That doesn't mean they are not Trump-humpers to begin with

[hlthe2b]

14. Doesn't mean aliens from outer space won't come insert probes in their brains, either...

but lets at least try to analyze this objectively.

The odds of a majority of the five being blind to justice or subject to Trump manipulation-- when the majority of the state R's were not so extremist-- is low, to begin with, but given at least a few of them would have been appointed prior to Trump being in office and by a Governor that precedes the Trump era makes it even less likely. And if Trumpists attempt to blackmail or buy them off, odds are that at least ONE of them would speak out. Basic math--the more people one involves in an illegal plot, the more likely it is found out.

But the bigger issue is that it does not appear they COULD even act until AFTER Trump had been tried and SENTENCED. Not much help to Trump in avoiding consequences, if, indeed he does get indicted.

[TheRealNorth]

13. That doesn't mean they are not Trump-humpers to begin with

And it's not like bribery is beneath these people.

[hlthe2b]

15. I responded to your duplicate earlier post. n/t

[CharleyDog]

5. Trump may be surprised to find out that democracy is strong in Georgia, that he can't

manipulate the system, after all. I'm sure he will try anyway, and plead his *guilty conviction* right to the Supreme Court.

[ColinC]

6. Still don't think it's gonna happen.

But… maybe?

[brooklynite]

10. Even if Kemp could, why would he?

[hlthe2b]

11. The question was CAN HE? And no, he cannot.

As to why WoULD he? Why would any of Trump's acolytes do his bidding? Kemp has shown clear separation and independence, but blackmail can be a motivating force.

[live love laugh]

16. Bet they're already targeting the parole board.

Hopeful for justice as always … fingers crossed 🤞🏾

[calimary]

17. I'd expect him to try to game the system any way he could figure it.

Or cheat in some other way. Or obstruct in a play for time. Delay, delay, and delay some more, and wear ‘em out so they finally get frustrated and give up. Or run out of money to fight with and get frustrated and give up. Or agree to a settlement to satisfy his ego and his greed in hopes he’ll be satisfied and go away (to find his next “mark”).

That’s been his pattern over a very long lifetime. A successful con man’s lifetime. He’s very adept as a con man, and rather fiendishly calculating.

But NOTHING lasts forever.