Biden says he would not pardon Trump

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NBC News

Biden committed to ensuring that any prosecutorial decisions would be dictated by the law, in contrast to what he called the "dereliction of duty” by Trump and his attorney general, William Barr.

By Mike Memoli
Former Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would not pardon President Donald Trump if elected and insisted any prosecutorial decisions would be left to a more independent Justice Department.

Answering questions in a virtual town hall-style event on MSNBC Thursday, the Democratic presidential hopeful was asked by a voter about whether he’d follow the lead of former President Gerald Ford, who pardoned Richard Nixon in large part to help the nation move beyond the Watergate scandal.

Biden, while not speaking to any specific potential charge, committed to ensuring that any prosecutorial decisions would be dictated by the law, in contrast to what he called the "dereliction of duty” by Trump and his attorney general, William Barr.

"It's hands off completely. The attorney general is not the president's lawyer. It's the people's lawyer,” Biden said. “We never saw anything like the prostitution of that office like we see it today.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-says-he-would-not-pardon-trump-n1207531

[Javaman]

1. that's a step in the right direction, but I also want...

a scorched earth policy when going after the right wing racist crooks. No one gets away. all get brought up on charges, all have to pay court fees out of their own pockets. I want to cripple the right wing machine that destroyed this nation.

[Hotler]

7. +1 for scorched earth policy. Stop playing nice. nt.

[ffr]

8. Absolutley 100%.

Make room at Guantanamo and let them rot in prison.

[truthisfreedom]

2. He actually said prostitution? Hahahahaha

Hahahahahahaaaaaaaa!

[dalton99a]

5. +1. Barr belongs in prison

[Lord Ludd]

22. Those caricatures (especially Barr) are perfect likenesses. Amazing! nt

[samsingh]

3. Biden and Stacy did a great job. This was very important for him to commit to.

[samnsara]

4. i was watching it up til Lawrence brought up tara..then i shut it off and didnt even watch Stacey :(

[beachbumbob]

6. I am hoping Biden learned from Obama's mistake in not going after the Iraqi war liars

the greatest failing of the obama admin was not doing this. Biden should hammer this home, any and all criminal wrongdoing will be investigated and prosecuted, no matter who.

[robbob]

9. Carter had to move on from the crimes of Nixon

Clinton had to move on from the crimes of Reagan and Bush senior. Obama had to move on from the crimes of Shrub and Cheney. All so “the nation can heal”. “Looking forward, not back”. “Uniting the country”.

When are we going to wake up and insist on holding these criminals accountable?

[beachbumbob]

12. ford already took care of the crimes of nixon before carter took office. besides, nixon

crimes pales in the face of the destruction of the middle east and now we have the criminal GOP/trump cabal and we need deep investigation and McCarthy type hearings into GOP, GOP groups, congresspeople and senators as well as the trump family of criminals and their associates

I see trumps new campaign slogan, "you MUST vote for me so I don;t have to go to prison to die"

[robbob]

14. Yeah, it seems the more they get away with

the worse their behaviour gets. Funny how that works.

[beachbumbob]

15. 3 years of trump admin actions with no repercussions to speak of to him or most of his people

what does he have to fear? Now if we start talking about criminal investigations and convictions and NO pardons, well that sets a different tone than "strongly worded letter" doesn't it?

Nearly 60% of america knows trump is a liar thats the people we motivate to vote. The otherside has no way to grow their voter base at all.

[Bayard]

10. He said he'd be hands off

Whatever Kamala Harris or Adam Schiff decide to do as AG is their decision.

I thought both Biden and Abrams did well last night, although sometimes it was hard for Joe to get a word in.

[dixiechiken1]

11. Bill Barr...

Ugliest. Prostitute. Ever.

[lagomorph777]

13. Trump has set the Barr very low.

Biden will be free to go after Trump like a ... Trump on pussy.

[Stuart G]

16. K and R...Thank You for posting..nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

17. Trump will probably seek asylum in Russia

[Judi Lynn]

18. This is one of the most welcome posts ever seen! Thank you, Omaha Steve. Wonderful.

[LiberalLovinLug]

19. Easy to say now of course

I can see if Biden wins, that two month drag between admins, Trump and his cult will be first crowing that the election was rigged, and try and stay in power. If that doesn't work, he and the Rs will use Fox News and every RW outlet to use a kind of mass extortion against the country that IF Democrats proceed to procecute Trump, they will start a civil war.

Not that they would win against the army, but the resulting chaos and cost and turmoil beginning to foment might make Biden (and lets face it, no D AG would proceed without Biden's blessing) relent at that time and have to make a promise to "move forward".

I hope the Democrats steer away from their usual fear of confrontation, and push ahead anyways. Even if there is bloodshed and violence to quell in the first months. No one said it would be easy. And Democrats too often choose the temporary easy road. But this is about the long term health of the country, constitutionally.

[CTyankee]

20. Not just no! HELL NO!!!

[luv2fly]

21. I fear it only motivates Repugs

There is value in holding your cards close and not sharing your hand. Do what you will Joe, but don't talk too much about these kind of plans until after you win.