Question; can the lying, stinking piece of pig poop pardon

[OffWithTheirHeads]

himself?

[Spiffarino]

1. Nope.

The only person a President can't pardon is himself.

[rwheeler31]

3. So dick can get off scott free?

what a plan

[napi21]

7. Yes he can. Check this link.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/news/aa041200b.htm

The "constitutional challenges" would come primarily from the power of U.S. presidents to grant pardons under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, which states in part, "and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

[Maiden England]

13. great, now he can finally be accountable for his whole administration

[Dookus]

14. wrong

there's nothing that says a President can't pardon himself.

[xray s]

2. Ah!!!

But Bush could pardon Cheney, then resign, and have Cheney pardon Bush.

Wouldn't that be a hoot!

[Nite Owl]

5. They are so up a creek

it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

[ogradda]

4. well in a different thread

some one told me he could. now what can i google to find out?

[napi21]

6. I don't know. I said he couldn't either, but I was told that was wrong.

I had this same discussion on DU several months ago, and I didn't think he could either, but quite a few DUers said that's wrong. If you read the law that gives the President permission to pardon, it doesn't specify that he couldn't. It's an ethical thing, not a legal one.

Posters even said this came up during the Clinton accusations, and Bill said he would never consider doing that...not that he couldn't, but that he wouldn't!

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Yes, he can

It was determined long ago that the President power to pardon is unlimited. He may pardon himself for any crimes he might have committed as well as any for which he has been convicted.

However, it is worth noting that not even Nixon was so arrogant.

[w4rma]

17. No. President Nixon got President Ford to pardon himself, instead.

There are only three methods to keep a wild President in check: Impeachment, elections and the term limit. A president can pardon anyone of any U.S. crime. But I don't know if a president can premptively pardon anyone.

[Jack Rabbit]

20. The discussion was part of Nixon's ouster many years ago

The President's right to pardon is unlimited. He may pardon himself. He may pardon anyone "preemptively". Even President Ford's pardon of Nixon came before Nixon was actually charged with any crimes.

[rwenos]

9. It's Never Been Attempted, But

I learned in Constitutional Law back in law school that the pardon power is, in effect, unfettered. There's a system for review by the Justice Dept., but the President can pardon anyone he wants.

There would be hell to pay politically, but Bush may not care.

I'm a member of the California Bar, and I wouldn't seriously argue to any Court that the President lacks this power. I think he can pardon himself.

[Spiffarino]

16. That's a surprise to me

I assumed that the "except in case of impeachment" clause meant he couldn't pardon himself. I consider myself corrected.

It's bizarre that a president would have that particular power. I also believe Bush would be arrogant enough to apply it in spite of his predecessors. Not even Nixon would do it himself, yet I see nothing in Chimpy's character that would preclude him doing it.

[benburch]

10. It is an abuse of the powers of the president, but not forbidden.

There are no limits placed on his power to pardon.

[Straight Shooter]

11. It's amazing. Someone mentions "lying, stinking piece of pig poop"

and I instantly know who they're talking about!

:evilgrin:

[ROH]

12. Pardon Rationale

Regardless of political affiliation (e.g. Rep or Dem), what is the logical rationale for a President (of any country) pardoning a VP or himself?

That is, how does this idea help the country?

[shraby]

15. A Constitutional amendment is in order

one that states a president cannot pardon any member of his administration. Former pardons is what got us where we are today...the same skunks are in the white house.

[zydeco]

18. I thought someone had to be convicted before they could be

pardoned. Maybe it was wishful thinking on my part. If I was wrong then Ken Lay can be pardoned even before conviction? This doesn't seem logical.

[kayell]

21. Pre-emptive pardoning?

Would he have to name all the various potential charges that he is pre-emptively pardoning??? It's such a long list, can he keep track?

Surely there is no way to pardon yourself, or anyone else for charges that have not yet been filed. Please tell me I'm right...I'm begging here.

[Hoffnung]

19. No

He has never been charged with a crime during his presidency so the answer is no

[Dookus]

22. incorrect

the President can pardon in the absence of an indictment. Ford pardoned Nixon when Nixon hadn't been charged with any crimes.

[Must_B_Free]

23. Plus - since no charges have been brought against anyone

he can't pardon them yet. We can charge them after he loses Pardon power...

[Dookus]

24. It's been pointed out repeatedly

one does NOT need to be charged with a crime to receive a pardon!

See Ford and Nixon.