• Billiam@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Remember: no Republicans are arguing Trump didn’t break the law.

    They’re arguing he shouldn’t be punished for it.

    • rayyy@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      They’re arguing he shouldn’t be punished for it

      They are really arguing that all Republicans shouldn’t be punished but if you aren’t in the club you get the full blast of the law.

      • Kairos
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        6 months ago

        I think you have to admit guilt? Which is bullshit because the purpose of a pardon isnt to get guilty people off but to act as a check against judicial power. I’m not sure though.

        • cogman@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          Nope.

          A pardon stops all punishment from the judicial system. You don’t have to plead guilty and criminal proceedings stop. A pardon further undoes any legal handicap (for example, you can own firearms again).

          That said, if you accept a pardon you can’t plead the fifth when it comes to details related to the crime you’ve committed.

          There’s also a commutation, which is weaker than a pardon. Instead of having the crime fully forgiven you are simply let out of jail with the understanding you committed the crime and must face follow up consequences (like not being able to own firearms).

          Finally, there are also conditional pardons. Those are ones where the president could impose a “you must plead guilty” style rule before the pardon can be applied. He could also apply a rule that says “you must perform 10 jumping jacks”.

          Pardon powers are some of the most broad we have in the US.

          About the only limitation is you can’t pardon for future crimes.

        • wolfpack86@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          I think you’re remembering some instance where a pardon can expose the recipient to civil liability. Or at least it was theorized it might…

          Bannon, stone or one of them.