Will Trump's signal to potential witnesses to expect a pardon work?

[LAS14]

I'm convinced that Trump pardoned Arpaio to let potential witnesses against him in the Russia probe know that they can expect to be pardoned if necessary, so they don't need to make deals. Is there any reason why this won't work?

tia
las

[Mister Ed]

1. Maybe not.

Those who have worked with Trump know better than to trust him.

[LAS14]

2. Good point!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. It could be, but Trump doesn't seem to realize that

pardons can have political consequences. And another possibility could be prosecution for obstruction of justice. Of course presidents have almost completely unlimited power to pardon, but if the motivation for a pardon is to obstruct justice, at least a few legal experts seem to think that motivation could be prosecutable even though the pardon itself could not be revoked. Bill Clinton did step in it with the Marc Rich pardon, and there was an investigation of it after the fact though Rich couldn't be un-pardoned. While that investigation was no doubt motivated at least in part by politics, it also suggests that the underlying reasons for a pardon could give rise to charges although the pardon can't be undone.

[moondust]

4. Maybe.

Rushing the pardon now before the conclusion of Arpaio's legal proceedings may even be a signal to the other traitors that it's okay to tell investigators whatever they want (i.e. lie) because he'll just pardon them anyway. Last week we learned that Mueller has subpoened "Manafort associates"and maybe others which may have prompted Drumpf to issue the pardon now to tip them off before they have to testify.

[marylandblue]

5. Several witness have already provided evidence to Mueller

And as they say, "An immunity deal in the hand is better than two pardons in the bush."