- Joined
- Nov 9, 2021
- Posts
- 4,286
- Main Camera
- iPhone
Before today, I was thinking that trump would likely be pardoning himself for the two federal indictments right after he takes office in January. End of story.
Today, Smith moved to have the charges dropped without prejudice for both federal indictments, which was then granted by the judge. Since the two indictments do not exist anymore, is there anything left for trump to pardon himself?
If not, it seems Smith could then refile those charges right after trump leaves office in 2029 and then go to trial. If true, perhaps today's move by Smith was actually a good move, because that possibility might not exist if trump had the opportunity to pardon himself as soon as he's innaugurated in January.
Thoughts?
Damn... False alarm on the above.
I consulted with my attorney friend back east and he said "The pardon does not have to be — and commonly is not — connected to a specific indictment or charge." And citing Ford's pardon of Nixon, who at that time was not charged with any criminal offense.
Proclamation 4311—Granting Pardon to Richard Nixon | The American Presidency Project
www.presidency.ucsb.edu