Would pardoning himself and others under investigation badly hurt Trump's image?

[Virginiá]

The idea here is that if he didn't commit any crimes, he does not need a pardon. Ditto for the people around him. If he were to issue pardons, it would indicate something did happen, whether it is or isn't related to the Russia scandal. Otherwise, as annoying as Mueller + the Congressional investigations are, there is ultimately no need for any pardons.

Surely that would have to make a difference when it comes down to reevaluating support for him.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

The idea here is that if he didn't commit any crimes, he does not need a pardon. Ditto for the people around him. If he were to issue pardons, it would indicate something did happen, whether it is or isn't related to the Russia scandal. Otherwise, as annoying as Mueller + the Congressional investigations are, there is ultimately no need for any pardons.

Surely that would have to make a difference when it comes down to reevaluating support for him.

I voted for Probably Not. I can see his cultists now:
"He's just doing it to make the Democrats stop their witch hunt, so he can Make America Great Again."

[ProudModerate2]

The idea here is that if he didn't commit any crimes, he does not need a pardon. Ditto for the people around him. If he were to issue pardons, it would indicate something did happen, whether it is or isn't related to the Russia scandal. Otherwise, as annoying as Mueller + the Congressional investigations are, there is ultimately no need for any pardons.

Surely that would have to make a difference when it comes down to reevaluating support for him.

I voted for Probably Not. I can see his cultists now:
"He's just doing it to make the Democrats stop their witch hunt, so he can Make America Great Again."

Runeghost,
I thought the poll specifically was "for trump supporters" only.

[Person Man]

Basically, it would be a coup.

[TheSaint250]

Of course

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

The idea here is that if he didn't commit any crimes, he does not need a pardon. Ditto for the people around him. If he were to issue pardons, it would indicate something did happen, whether it is or isn't related to the Russia scandal. Otherwise, as annoying as Mueller + the Congressional investigations are, there is ultimately no need for any pardons.

Surely that would have to make a difference when it comes down to reevaluating support for him.

I voted for Probably Not. I can see his cultists now:
"He's just doing it to make the Democrats stop their witch hunt, so he can Make America Great Again."

Runeghost,
I thought the poll specifically was "for trump supporters" only.

Oops. I didn't realize the poll was different from the thread title. I still think my statement stands.  (And it's not like anyone reading my posts is going to mistake my position vis-a-vis the Outrageous Orangeness).

[Virginiá]

Oops. I didn't realize the poll was different from the thread title. I still think my statement stands.  (And it's not like anyone reading my posts is going to mistake my position vis-a-vis the Outrageous Orangeness).

I wonder if EnglishPete was the 2nd No vote

[Nyvin]

Trump can literally do no evil according to his followers, and they're the only ones who support him anymore, so no.

[Person Man]

Oops. I didn't realize the poll was different from the thread title. I still think my statement stands.  (And it's not like anyone reading my posts is going to mistake my position vis-a-vis the Outrageous Orangeness).

I wonder if EnglishPete was the 2nd No vote

I was tempted to vote no, because at this point, we're almost down to the people at the nut house who think Trump is doing a good job and is innocent

Cult 45!

[Sumner 1868]

I would probably improve his image with his followers. They don't tolerate him despite his personality - they love that he's a toxic narcissist because so many of them are too.

[Tekken_Guy]

Can a president even pardon himself? If Trump tries to do that it'll destroy his image.

[Pericles]

Can a president even pardon himself? If Trump tries to do that it'll destroy his image.

Trump can pardon himself from federal prosecution but it does not exempt him from impeachment or state prosecution, and would cause an unprecedented constitutional crisis.

[Shadows]

Not among his base, not to the people who watch Fox, Breitbart, Infowars - They will consider it a witchhunt against Trump by the liberal media & the Washington Corrupt establishment.

If the economy goes south, or stagnates, if people lose healthcare & so on - In other words if his supporters see no rise in wages, higher insurance premiums, poor job opportunities etc, stuff which directly affects them, then they will revise their opinion of Trump (with time - Probably After 2018 onwards)

[BlueSwan]

Yes. It would bring Trump down to his core supporters. The ones that supported him in the primaries plus the extremely partisan hacks who will say or do anything to prevent a democrat in the white house. Probably around 25% of the voters in total, 30% tops. Most of the elected republicans outside of dark red house districts will have to turn on him this time around.

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

Not a Trump supporter, but in his own words:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Virginiá]

Trump can pardon himself from federal prosecution but it does not exempt him from impeachment or state prosecution, and would cause an unprecedented constitutional crisis.

It could embolden Democratic state(s) (notably New York) to try and bring some sort of criminal action against him, and I'm somewhat unsure of exactly how much Republicans in Congress would tolerate from Trump at that point. I don't think anyone can say for sure, as Trump pardoning himself and others around him to avoid criminal liability would be completely uncharted territory. I think it is possible he could get tossed out as Republicans know a more stable/reliable Pence is waiting to take over.

[Technocracy Timmy]

Trump can pardon himself from federal prosecution but it does not exempt him from impeachment or state prosecution, and would cause an unprecedented constitutional crisis.

It could embolden Democratic state(s) (notably New York) to try and bring some sort of criminal action against him, and I'm somewhat unsure of exactly how much Republicans in Congress would tolerate from Trump at that point. I don't think anyone can say for sure, as Trump pardoning himself and others around him to avoid criminal liability would be completely uncharted territory. I think it is possible he could get tossed out as Republicans know a more stable/reliable Pence is waiting to take over.

Like this?

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dc-attorney-general-challenging-trump-on-emoluments-clause-its-a-chaotic-unconstitutional-and-unlawful-situation/article/2629106

[Virginiá]

Like this?

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dc-attorney-general-challenging-trump-on-emoluments-clause-its-a-chaotic-unconstitutional-and-unlawful-situation/article/2629106

I'm not sure, and that's the thing, who knows what crimes Trump has committed over the course of his "career." Say what you want, but Trump does not strike me as the kind of person who cares about rules. I think if he felt he could get away with something, he'd do it. So with enough time, resources and manpower from someone like the New York or New Jersey AG (2018-on), it is possible he finds himself charged at the state level.

[Badger]

Rather telling that Saint is the only even remote Trump supporter who dare to Post his opinion.