Politics Thread

[fellahmuskie]

Nothing would surprise me at this point. Including Trump being impeached and removed and then winning the 2020 election anyway.

Now that is something I hadn't considered.

[scoscox]

Pretty sure you can’t hold office after you’ve been impeached

[GoMuskies]

Pretty sure you can’t hold office after you’ve been impeached

Bill Clinton obviously disagrees with this assessment. I know you meant "and removed", but we've got to get back into these distinctions it seems. And what you say may be true, but since it's never happened, I'm not sure.

[Mrs. Garrett]

Bill Clinton obviously disagrees with this assessment. I know you meant "and removed", but we've got to get back into these distinctions it seems. And what you say may be true, but since it's never happened, I'm not sure.

I'm thinking once Trump is out of office, his next address is going to be from a federal prison.

[paulxu]

I don't know about that, but I can see if enough pressure occurs that he would resign and be pardoned by Pence.

[Mrs. Garrett]

I don't know about that, but I can see if enough pressure occurs that he would resign and be pardoned by Pence.

I don't know that Pence actually likes him. His wife sure doesn't.

Seems like the odds are on Trump cutting a deal to resign and avoid prosecution. But would that protect him from the shady shit he's done prior to becoming Commander-in-Chief?

[noteggs]

Clinton was acquitted in the Senate so therefore was allowed to stay in office. If Trump is impeached by the House, I would assume the Senate would do the same. The turtle has already alluded to this. As strange as it may seem, if the Senate decides to remove him from office, Trump could still run for the 2020 presidency.

Also in terms of a pardon, in Article II Section 2, specifically prohibits the president’s pardon power from reversing impeachment convictions. So, if Pence becomes the president, he could not pardon Trump.

[STL_XUfan]

Also in terms of a pardon, in Article II Section 2, specifically prohibits the president’s pardon power from reversing impeachment convictions. So, if Pence becomes the president, he could not pardon Trump.

But he could still pardon him from obstruction of justice or other charges that can only be brought once he is out of the White House, right?

[noteggs]

But he could still pardon him from obstruction of justice or other charges that can only be brought once he is out of the White House, right?

First of all I’m just a history geek, especially around the founding and not a lawyer.

However, from my interpretation, a sitting president could not pardon Trump for his impeachable crimes that he committed in office. Article II section 2 states, “...he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.”

After removal from office, the Constitution says, “… the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.”

I definitely think a pardon would be tested if it goes that far. Of course this has never happened because you’ve only had two presidents (Johnson and Clinton) impeached but were acquitted, so no pardon was necessary. Obviously we know Nixon was pardoned by Ford but he was able to because Nixon resigned before he got impeached.

Honestly, I don’t see it getting that far and only 1 of the 3 things will happen:

No impeachment, resigns and gets pardon by Pence (or by whom
assumes the role), or the Senate acquits.

[noteggs]

But he could still pardon him from obstruction of justice or other charges that can only be brought once he is out of the White House, right?

After reading your message again, if you meant he doesn’t get impeached and finishes his term(s), would he receive a pardon if convicted of obstruction? I would say yes just like Nixon.