Gingrich Suggests Trump Simply Pardon Family That Breaks Anti-Nepotism Law

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo

By MATT SHUHAM Published DECEMBER 19, 2016, 5:37 PM EDT

Newt Gingrich said Monday that President-elect Donald Trump could simply pardon members of his administration who may break anti-nepotism laws, adding that Trump's business ties require "a whole new approach" to addressing potential conflicts of interest in the presidency.

“In the case of the president, he has a broad ability to organize the White House the way he wants to. He also has, frankly, the power of the pardon,” Gingrich told WAMU’s Diane Rehm on Monday morning. “It is a totally open power, and he could simply say, ‘Look, I want them to be my advisers. I pardon them if anyone finds them to have behaved against the rules. Period.' Technically, under the Constitution, he has that level of authority.”

Gingrich was referring to a federal anti-nepotism law that could prevent Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, respectively, from serving in his administration. Previously, Gingrich suggested Trump may need a waiver from Congress to have Kushner work in his administration.

On Monday, however, Gingrich said the law was the result of “Lyndon Johnson’s reaction to Bobby Kennedy, and the fact that Johnson hated Kennedy.”

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/newt-gingrich-trump-nepotism-conflicts-of-interest

[MBS]

1. Wow.

[Blue Shoes]

33. I'm not shocked, I'm just disappointed.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Newt..... the only Speaker EVER fined for ethics violations ............$300,000

[JudyM]

9. Newt has incited more destruction to the fabric of our political system than most. His vicious

lack of fair play and any semblance of respect for true democracy is stunning. With tRump looking to that SOB as some kind of mentor our country is doomed, IMO.

Rove reared his manipulative power-twisting head today, too... tRump has scratched the ground and all the worms are squirming to the surface to feast on what they will soon make a carcass of this beautiful country.

Today sucks.

[Angry Dragon]

13. more like snakes than worms

nothing lower than a snake fart

[dixiegrrrrl]

29. Ditch dirt......lower than ditch dirt

as they say down here....

[blitzburgh55]

3. I was listening to that this morning

The people on Diane's show said, no, Newt was so wrong.

[metalbot]

23. It depends what you mean by "wrong"

Morally, yes.

Legally? Maybe not so wrong. The constitution is pretty clear that the president can pardon federal offenses (except for impeachment). There's nothing to suggest that he can't pardon family members and have it be 100% legal.

[Eugene]

4. I'm impressed. The Trumpians have outdone themselves in craziness.

It has been Newt's job to release some of the Trump Gang's
wackiest trial balloons and this one is a prize winner.
If the law doesn't allow it, just operate above the law.

Never mind that pardons can be politically toxic,
can you even pardon an offense in progress?

It's going to be a long four years.

[Abu Pepe]

40. I think he could pardon even future crimes of his family or self

That will be one of his last acts on the way out the door, whenever that is.

[Bradical79]

43. Didn't Bush do that? -nt

[jpak]

5. Dictator!

yup

[kacekwl]

21. That's in the end what

they want. Total power, one party state. You know like Putin.

[Nac Mac Feegle]

26. Republicans do not wish to govern

They mean to rule.

[duffyduff]

6. Gingrich is a nutcase.

He needs to get lost.

[Blue Shoes]

35. Just another spectre that is going to haunt us for the next 4 years. nt

[Paladin]

7. Newt Gingrich, Moral arbiter to the nation.

But, hey: thank God Hillary's e-mail "baggage" no longer burdens us. Right?

[C_U_L8R]

8. Newt hasn't learned his lesson

Suggesting such an abuse of power... what a toad.

[Fast Walker 52]

10. What could possibly go wrong with that plan? Uggh!!!

Gingrich is a piece of filth.

Why can't these fuckfaces go away already???

[kacekwl]

24. NOTHING

because to all the mouth breathers , Limbaugh worshippers , Fox entertainment watchers , single digit IQ Morons trump can do no wrong. Perfect time to enact all this crap.

[bucolic_frolic]

11. Laws do not apply to THEM

They're going to be surprised when people start refusing to obey
laws because they don't agree with the laws

This is a slippery slope down which Gingrinch slides

[pnwmom]

12. Gee, I wonder why Nixon didn't pardon himself then? n/t

[metalbot]

25. Some of his people suggested that he should

While most interpretations suggest that a president cannot pardon himself, there was a block of advisors who argued that a self-pardon would be legal. You can't pardon yourself for a crime for which you are being impeached (clearly stated in the Constitution), but there's a question of whether or not one could pardon oneself for a crime for which you have not yet been impeached.

We may find out the SCOTUS interpretation of this during the first Trump term (and I don't expect such a ruling to go Trump's way, even with a conservative court).

[dixiegrrrrl]

30. Remember what he said? "It isn't a illegal if the President does it"

and he very briefly had those White House ..were they guards???--dressed up in some imitation of European uniforms, which created a hell of a squall.

I honestly thought Nixon would remain the most objectionable Pres. in my lifetime.

Wrong.

[progressoid]

14. Would not be surprised it he did it.

[The Liberal Lion]

15. Maddening

America, as we know it, will die on Jan 20th 2017. Something foreign and alien to our shores will take over.

[Cryptoad]

16. In that Case ,,Hows about ,,,

President Obama just declare Marshal Law and void the election.

[Turbineguy]

17. Heil Myself.

[TrollBuster9090]

18. Hilarious. The most corrupt Speaker in American History would suggest that.

Gingrich, the only Speaker in American History to be sanctioned overwhelmingly by his own Party. A Party which normally has incredible, lock-step Party discipline.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/012297.htm

And, of course, this would be Gerald Ford's blanket pardon of Nixon for crimes he MIGHT have committed on STEROIDS.

I say Trump should DO it! Let's flush all the corruption out into the light for all to see! I love it!

[TeamPooka]

19. Because laws don't apply to Republicans. nt

[PSPS]

20. Gingrich is describing the little-known "billionaires' exception" in our laws.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

22. Can't that asshole stop saying "frankly"? NT

[Spitfire of ATJ]

28. You think THAT'S bad?

I can't look at Newt without picturing him at the Bohemian Grove naked beating on a tom tom.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

37. I'd alert, but I can't find a box to check for

"makes me want to projectile vomit on my keyboard."

[Spitfire of ATJ]

27. Surprised he doesn't invoke the Kennedy clan.

[Chellee]

32. Did you miss this bit?

<On Monday, however, Gingrich said the law was the result of “Lyndon Johnson’s reaction to Bobby Kennedy, and the fact that Johnson hated Kennedy.” >

Gingrich is the definition of deplorable.

[NastyRiffraff]

31. Hasn't America had enough of this talking cauliflower?

Newt and Dump deserve each other.

[Blue Idaho]

34. Right after that Trump can declare himself President for Life - right?

[Mc Mike]

36. The same party that screams and cries about Dem 'corruption',

and holds a hundred witch hunt style congressional oversight hearings.

Such evil, lying, twisted, hypocrites. Pigs badly in need of a barbecue pit.

[NRaleighLiberal]

38. I listened to that episode as I was doing errands. Nearly ran off the road...

tried to call in - couldn't get through. Newtie left them speechless (as so many of Diane's guests seem to these days - like Scottie Nells)

[cstanleytech]

39. So he wants Trump to comment an impeachable offense? Fine by me. nt

[Grins]

41. Newt; saying what he never would have said if that president was a Dem.!

Just sayin'...

[Nitram]

42. Newt has the making of an excellent minion.

Or a flying monkey.