The pardon power appears unfettered, but abuse of that power is impeachable. Add this the articles that should be filed the very first day of the next Congress.
BREAKING: Senate Republicans just got busted giving themselves a $500,000 handout with an amendment that lets them SUE the government for investigating them for January 6th! Sneaking this in. This is part of the reopening of the government that they are voting on, so if it doesn't pass you know why. I personally believe they caved but the republicans sneaking this in is criminal if it passes.
It needs to be stripped out of the bill. It was meant to add insult to injury. They want to reward conspirators for an insurrection and punish those that defended the law. Written by a GOP happy to see their fellow Americans go hungry. No conscience. No honor. No way. VOTE every last republican out of office.
House Republicans defeated a motion to strip this from the bill by unanimous vote. This surprised me because if gives so much firepower to the Dems even in red districts. I presume it was because they want the MRB (much reduced bill, rather than Big Beautiful Bill) to pass without modifications that would kick this back to the Senate. What will be interesting: does DOJ corruptly fail to defend? Or "settle" for amounts way in excess of any damage these folks could actually claim? If so, is there anyone who might have standing to appeal on that basis, and what will the Extremes do?
I believe it will get worse...before he leaves office he will pardon his family, friends, MAGA, and the entire republican half of the PARTY.
Lebo Von Lo~Debar
Former/Always 82nd Airborne Infantryman, Disabled Veteran for Life, & Author of the book, "The Separation of Corporation and State" subtitled "Common Sense and the Two-Party Crisis" Available on Amazon.
Marc Elias at Democracy Docket in his recent essay(https://bit.ly/48Sp4TK) points out in Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” that the force behind the totalitarian regime was to not only distort and lie about historical facts but by the repetition of the lies, to erase history itself That history should be warped to fit the leader’s own narrative of what really happened
Cheeto’s entire malignant narcissistic public life career is to make his malevolent past history go away Erase it This is the force behind Cheeto’s obstruction of release of the Epstein files He’s also tried to erase his convictions in the E Jean Carroll case and the Tish James election interference case involving Stormy Daniels He successfully avoided prosecutions in the Mar A Lago documents case and the J6 incitement of riot but with his recent DOJ actions he continues to try to erase the facts like any good old fashioned malignant narcissist would do
Let’s just be clear Cheeto is a deranged depraved arrogant evil psychotic sociopath Beneath the façade of a hunched over lumbering frame is a sick sick mind History will remember him for that AND his attempted coverups So speak your mind loudly to your neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family unabashedly unafraid to hold Cheeto accountable for the history he has created And to try to never repeat the same mistake the American electorate made just as Germany has tried to do
Harry, you are letting yourself be buffaloed by the creep and his toadies. For 30 years the Republicans have been working to destroy American government. Mostly people have just waved their hands and talked about bi-partisanship. Yet since the '90s the Republicans/conservatives/rightwingers/trumagats have gone on their way unhindered as they have obstructed and now openly tear apart and down, American government.
It is good to know the harm they do. It is not good to pretend this can not be remedied, that the years of vicious destruction have put paid to American constitutionalism. We should be inspired to begin now, --even as we experience the horrors--, collecting evidence, potential remedies, and paths back to a better consitutional regime.
They put their hatred into the forever-damned Project 2025. We should, right here, right now, be putting our faith in democracy and constitutionalist rule, and preparing a 21st-century agenda of restoration and refurbishment and improvement. There is real, gratifying work to be done starting now. Let that task fill our thoughts and time and effort, and crowd out the cries of woe.
I always like reading your posts for your knowledge of the law and history. Today is very depressing to read of the further destruction of our democracy and justice. Considering the "facts" of The Insurrection.....what I saw with my own eyes...what all the officers suffered horribly....can the insurrectionists be brought back to trial in the future?
I am furious. I cannot believe the degree of cognitive dissonance it takes to watch that footage and describe it as a “peaceful day of love.” As a psychotherapist (and decent person, I hope) who works with and talks to people who are being destroyed by his grift and his policies, I am beyond horrified by the lack of humanity exemplified by these people.
Watching sadly from Australia. Feel it's important to point out that DJT would be irrelevant without sycophants. Alone he would be no-one. The chaos merchant is simply giving permission to his fellow Americans to follow his lead, which too many did with enthusiasm before they were impacted personally by the deportations, rising costs, job losses and all the rest. A few of Don the Con's mates on the Supreme Court gave him a pass for his offences past, present and future, but over 30% of Americans STILL support him. That's the part that shocks me. 40 million people still think this is all ok? How is that possible... Even Aussies tell me he's a smart businessman and that he wrote 'The Art of the Deal'. Murdoch has much to answer for.
When Trump's gone there will be a horrible mess to clean up.
Donny can't rewrite history (no matter how hard he tries) because people have social media for the first time. The crimes are in the public domain as they happen. They can't be deleted. They can be misrepresented of course, but there are truth-tellers who will not be silenced. The truth mustn't be forgotten.
In context, this is the death of capitalism. There is a huge amount of money in America, but it has been moved from the poor to the rich. And the rich hoard it, take it out of circulation, so they can stay rich. And Donny wants his share. Too stupid to earn it, he's had to extort it. He also wants to stay out of prison. At this stage his plan is working.
The law dosen't protect anyone, it's simply based on decisions that were made in the past, whether or not those decisions were sound. Strange concept, precedent. That's why it's called 'The Legal System'. It's not called 'The Justice System'. Justice would have prevented a criminal bankrupt rapist from becoming president. TWICE. Justice would ensure a wealthy country protect it's citizens from the indignities being inflicted on them by the DJTs of the world.
Our illiterate commander in chief has never written a book (ever heard if ghost writers?). He doesn’t even read books - or the Executive Orders he signs (he regularly asks “what is this one?” during his signing events). His reading level has been determined to be around third grade. He’s also bankrupted so many businesses - even casinos, which is nearly impossible - that it’s been calculated if he just put his money into a mutual fund he would have more money. Well, until he started using money laundering and crypto as means to make illegal fortunes. Tell that to every Aussie who thinks he’s a brilliant businessman. LOL.
Trump is a strange creature indeed. I cannot comprehend his appeal - I find him so utterly repellent that I'm struck mute when I'm told about his 'achievements'. The man who ghost-wrote The Art of the Deal said it's the greatest regret of his life. Clearly Mango's supporters aren't interested in the facts and will believe what they choose. Strange too, as Dump himself tells everyone the truth, buried in the deluge of BS he spews. He said he didn't care about anyone, only their votes. He TOLD everyone he was going to gut the govt. He TOLD everyone he was going to target the DOJ personnel who worked on his cases. He TOLD everyone Putin is his best mate. He never actually intended to work as the POTUS. He has no interest in running the country. He knows nothing about administration, politics, economics or business and he cares even less than he knows. That's why he falls asleep in meetings. He's bored. He's there to get rich (I know he was broke) and stay out of prison. BUT the people around him are dangerous, and making such a mess it's going to be nearly impossible to repair. Like the East Wing, the structure will be gone. It will need reconstruction on an unprecedented scale.
I won't miss him when he is no longer POTUS. I REALLY hope he dosen't die, and lands in prison. He has federal immunity, but not state. (And the lunatics enabling him don't have immunity. Definitely prison for them.) But if he dies... That's ok too. 💁🏼♀️
I will add that Don the Con and Pedo rapist bankrupted an airline that had the most profitable routes in the U.S., the old Eastern Airlines Shuttle. USAir acquired Trump Airlines while running it in receivership (USAir was then acquired by American).
He made his first two billion by inheriting 4 billion. Think he's declared bankruptcy 6 times but it may be seven. In this iteration he started at rock bottom when he called himself a star. Then he went lower with his bullshit in court. And still lower, with his Gatsby slogan 'A Little Party Never Killed No-one.' Gatsby is about a party leading to a death. 😶 When people are starving. I doubt the Thief in Chief is clever enough to understand the irony, but he is amused by the cruelty. I will be glad when he dies.
Of course I hope he's primaried out before then. But I don't really care which comes first... May normality return asap! 💁🏼♀️
Yes, but what's the likelihood at this point? We are 5 years and counting from these events. The state prosecution that was furthest along was in Georgia. It's now effectively dead. Justice is but a dream now.
I believe and have been saying to my friends and anyone who will listen that when this national nightmare is over (and it will be) we will need to have a master commission of some of the best legal minds in our nation to accurately initiate a system of how we can as a nation bring accountability to everyone in Trump world.
It will take a lot of effort for sure. Last Tuesday is a stark reminder that accountability is coming and will happen in the not too distant future.
It’s time we start thinking about what our options are now and how we can build on this over the next few years. I refuse to believe these people are effectively free.
The pardon power appears unfettered, but abuse of that power is impeachable. Add this the articles that should be filed the very first day of the next Congress.
BREAKING: Senate Republicans just got busted giving themselves a $500,000 handout with an amendment that lets them SUE the government for investigating them for January 6th! Sneaking this in. This is part of the reopening of the government that they are voting on, so if it doesn't pass you know why. I personally believe they caved but the republicans sneaking this in is criminal if it passes.
It needs to be stripped out of the bill. It was meant to add insult to injury. They want to reward conspirators for an insurrection and punish those that defended the law. Written by a GOP happy to see their fellow Americans go hungry. No conscience. No honor. No way. VOTE every last republican out of office.
House Republicans defeated a motion to strip this from the bill by unanimous vote. This surprised me because if gives so much firepower to the Dems even in red districts. I presume it was because they want the MRB (much reduced bill, rather than Big Beautiful Bill) to pass without modifications that would kick this back to the Senate. What will be interesting: does DOJ corruptly fail to defend? Or "settle" for amounts way in excess of any damage these folks could actually claim? If so, is there anyone who might have standing to appeal on that basis, and what will the Extremes do?
Boy that’s for sure! Criminal indeed.
All Republicans are criminal, except for Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/government-funding-senators-damages-jan-6_n_6912a73ee4b0ff332f7cfbce
I believe it will get worse...before he leaves office he will pardon his family, friends, MAGA, and the entire republican half of the PARTY.
Lebo Von Lo~Debar
Former/Always 82nd Airborne Infantryman, Disabled Veteran for Life, & Author of the book, "The Separation of Corporation and State" subtitled "Common Sense and the Two-Party Crisis" Available on Amazon.
Drump can pardon all he wants.
History has already been written on this topic.
Drump only adds an obnoxious chapter with his "pardons".
Absolutely great read, thanks Harry !!!
He’s assembling the coup troops in order to steal the midterms. It’s not just
about whitewashing. It’s about PUTTING THE EVILDOERS BACK TO WORK TO STAY IN POWER. AGAIN.
Yep
Cheeto And Erasing History
Marc Elias at Democracy Docket in his recent essay(https://bit.ly/48Sp4TK) points out in Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” that the force behind the totalitarian regime was to not only distort and lie about historical facts but by the repetition of the lies, to erase history itself That history should be warped to fit the leader’s own narrative of what really happened
Cheeto’s entire malignant narcissistic public life career is to make his malevolent past history go away Erase it This is the force behind Cheeto’s obstruction of release of the Epstein files He’s also tried to erase his convictions in the E Jean Carroll case and the Tish James election interference case involving Stormy Daniels He successfully avoided prosecutions in the Mar A Lago documents case and the J6 incitement of riot but with his recent DOJ actions he continues to try to erase the facts like any good old fashioned malignant narcissist would do
Let’s just be clear Cheeto is a deranged depraved arrogant evil psychotic sociopath Beneath the façade of a hunched over lumbering frame is a sick sick mind History will remember him for that AND his attempted coverups So speak your mind loudly to your neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family unabashedly unafraid to hold Cheeto accountable for the history he has created And to try to never repeat the same mistake the American electorate made just as Germany has tried to do
I will say the TRUTH about the sociopathic, narcissistic felon and all his regime until the day I die.
Your last paragraph might actually be too generous an assessment of this vile person, but you're so right about his goals.
This is so important. What a lucid and damning indictment.
Harry I think this article may be the most important one you’ve written. Thank you for the truth now and forever!
Harry, you are letting yourself be buffaloed by the creep and his toadies. For 30 years the Republicans have been working to destroy American government. Mostly people have just waved their hands and talked about bi-partisanship. Yet since the '90s the Republicans/conservatives/rightwingers/trumagats have gone on their way unhindered as they have obstructed and now openly tear apart and down, American government.
It is good to know the harm they do. It is not good to pretend this can not be remedied, that the years of vicious destruction have put paid to American constitutionalism. We should be inspired to begin now, --even as we experience the horrors--, collecting evidence, potential remedies, and paths back to a better consitutional regime.
They put their hatred into the forever-damned Project 2025. We should, right here, right now, be putting our faith in democracy and constitutionalist rule, and preparing a 21st-century agenda of restoration and refurbishment and improvement. There is real, gratifying work to be done starting now. Let that task fill our thoughts and time and effort, and crowd out the cries of woe.
Dictator Don is setting things up so that he alone has the power. He will never leave office without being forcibly removed.
Radical Domestic Terrorism 🆘 USA 🇺🇸 🗺️
I always like reading your posts for your knowledge of the law and history. Today is very depressing to read of the further destruction of our democracy and justice. Considering the "facts" of The Insurrection.....what I saw with my own eyes...what all the officers suffered horribly....can the insurrectionists be brought back to trial in the future?
No, not in a Federal court because that would be double jeopardy.
I am furious. I cannot believe the degree of cognitive dissonance it takes to watch that footage and describe it as a “peaceful day of love.” As a psychotherapist (and decent person, I hope) who works with and talks to people who are being destroyed by his grift and his policies, I am beyond horrified by the lack of humanity exemplified by these people.
Watching sadly from Australia. Feel it's important to point out that DJT would be irrelevant without sycophants. Alone he would be no-one. The chaos merchant is simply giving permission to his fellow Americans to follow his lead, which too many did with enthusiasm before they were impacted personally by the deportations, rising costs, job losses and all the rest. A few of Don the Con's mates on the Supreme Court gave him a pass for his offences past, present and future, but over 30% of Americans STILL support him. That's the part that shocks me. 40 million people still think this is all ok? How is that possible... Even Aussies tell me he's a smart businessman and that he wrote 'The Art of the Deal'. Murdoch has much to answer for.
When Trump's gone there will be a horrible mess to clean up.
Donny can't rewrite history (no matter how hard he tries) because people have social media for the first time. The crimes are in the public domain as they happen. They can't be deleted. They can be misrepresented of course, but there are truth-tellers who will not be silenced. The truth mustn't be forgotten.
In context, this is the death of capitalism. There is a huge amount of money in America, but it has been moved from the poor to the rich. And the rich hoard it, take it out of circulation, so they can stay rich. And Donny wants his share. Too stupid to earn it, he's had to extort it. He also wants to stay out of prison. At this stage his plan is working.
The law dosen't protect anyone, it's simply based on decisions that were made in the past, whether or not those decisions were sound. Strange concept, precedent. That's why it's called 'The Legal System'. It's not called 'The Justice System'. Justice would have prevented a criminal bankrupt rapist from becoming president. TWICE. Justice would ensure a wealthy country protect it's citizens from the indignities being inflicted on them by the DJTs of the world.
What a mess he is making. So sad.
Our illiterate commander in chief has never written a book (ever heard if ghost writers?). He doesn’t even read books - or the Executive Orders he signs (he regularly asks “what is this one?” during his signing events). His reading level has been determined to be around third grade. He’s also bankrupted so many businesses - even casinos, which is nearly impossible - that it’s been calculated if he just put his money into a mutual fund he would have more money. Well, until he started using money laundering and crypto as means to make illegal fortunes. Tell that to every Aussie who thinks he’s a brilliant businessman. LOL.
Trump is a strange creature indeed. I cannot comprehend his appeal - I find him so utterly repellent that I'm struck mute when I'm told about his 'achievements'. The man who ghost-wrote The Art of the Deal said it's the greatest regret of his life. Clearly Mango's supporters aren't interested in the facts and will believe what they choose. Strange too, as Dump himself tells everyone the truth, buried in the deluge of BS he spews. He said he didn't care about anyone, only their votes. He TOLD everyone he was going to gut the govt. He TOLD everyone he was going to target the DOJ personnel who worked on his cases. He TOLD everyone Putin is his best mate. He never actually intended to work as the POTUS. He has no interest in running the country. He knows nothing about administration, politics, economics or business and he cares even less than he knows. That's why he falls asleep in meetings. He's bored. He's there to get rich (I know he was broke) and stay out of prison. BUT the people around him are dangerous, and making such a mess it's going to be nearly impossible to repair. Like the East Wing, the structure will be gone. It will need reconstruction on an unprecedented scale.
I won't miss him when he is no longer POTUS. I REALLY hope he dosen't die, and lands in prison. He has federal immunity, but not state. (And the lunatics enabling him don't have immunity. Definitely prison for them.) But if he dies... That's ok too. 💁🏼♀️
Agree 100%!
He’s not falling asleep because he’s bored. It’s a symptom of dementia.
I will add that Don the Con and Pedo rapist bankrupted an airline that had the most profitable routes in the U.S., the old Eastern Airlines Shuttle. USAir acquired Trump Airlines while running it in receivership (USAir was then acquired by American).
He made his first two billion by inheriting 4 billion. Think he's declared bankruptcy 6 times but it may be seven. In this iteration he started at rock bottom when he called himself a star. Then he went lower with his bullshit in court. And still lower, with his Gatsby slogan 'A Little Party Never Killed No-one.' Gatsby is about a party leading to a death. 😶 When people are starving. I doubt the Thief in Chief is clever enough to understand the irony, but he is amused by the cruelty. I will be glad when he dies.
Of course I hope he's primaried out before then. But I don't really care which comes first... May normality return asap! 💁🏼♀️
Are some of those he recently pardoned still at risk for State crimes they are accused of? I thought the president could only pardon Federal crimes.
Yes, but what's the likelihood at this point? We are 5 years and counting from these events. The state prosecution that was furthest along was in Georgia. It's now effectively dead. Justice is but a dream now.
I believe and have been saying to my friends and anyone who will listen that when this national nightmare is over (and it will be) we will need to have a master commission of some of the best legal minds in our nation to accurately initiate a system of how we can as a nation bring accountability to everyone in Trump world.
It will take a lot of effort for sure. Last Tuesday is a stark reminder that accountability is coming and will happen in the not too distant future.
It’s time we start thinking about what our options are now and how we can build on this over the next few years. I refuse to believe these people are effectively free.