Donald Trump Jr. From the beginning of the Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, we have wondered why Trump has not pardoned some of the most potentially egregious witnesses against him. These potential witnesses against Trump are also facing prison for having run afoul of the law. Paul Manafort has been found guilty of different financial crimes; Roger Stone has been indicted for lying and witness tampering; and Trump’s son Don, Jr. may have committed perjury.
Many legal experts argue that Trump cannot help himself by pardoning these potential witnesses. They point out that if Trump issues a pardon to influence a witness, he could be committing obstruction of justice. This may be true, but proving the charge would require an impeachment or indictment and evidence.
Also these legal experts point out that once pardoned, potential witnesses cannot refuse to testify against Trump because such testimony might incriminate them. But not all witnesses refuse to answer on the grounds of self-incrimination; some lie. Further, many experts believe that if Trump were to pardon a potential witness to prevent their testimony, the public would explode in a firestorm. The firestorm might be even higher if the potential witness was the President's son.
Nonetheless, Trump might pardon potential witnesses if he is able to pardon them with minimum risks of undesirable outcomes. One way this could happen is if Trump were defeated for re-election in 2020. After his defeat on November 3 through January 20, 2021, Trump could pardon any potential witnesses against him with minimum risk. A pardon any time sooner would be politically devastating.
Potential witnesses who remained silent could even reap a payoff if Trump is able to receive a large enough reward during his last two years in office. The most substantial impediment to potential witnesses waiting two years in jail for Trump to make good on his promise of a pardon is his near legend unreliability. Who can trust Trump?
Many legal experts argue that Trump cannot help himself by pardoning these potential witnesses. They point out that if Trump issues a pardon to influence a witness, he could be committing obstruction of justice. This may be true, but proving the charge would require an impeachment or indictment and evidence.
Also these legal experts point out that once pardoned, potential witnesses cannot refuse to testify against Trump because such testimony might incriminate them. But not all witnesses refuse to answer on the grounds of self-incrimination; some lie. Further, many experts believe that if Trump were to pardon a potential witness to prevent their testimony, the public would explode in a firestorm. The firestorm might be even higher if the potential witness was the President's son.
Nonetheless, Trump might pardon potential witnesses if he is able to pardon them with minimum risks of undesirable outcomes. One way this could happen is if Trump were defeated for re-election in 2020. After his defeat on November 3 through January 20, 2021, Trump could pardon any potential witnesses against him with minimum risk. A pardon any time sooner would be politically devastating.
Potential witnesses who remained silent could even reap a payoff if Trump is able to receive a large enough reward during his last two years in office. The most substantial impediment to potential witnesses waiting two years in jail for Trump to make good on his promise of a pardon is his near legend unreliability. Who can trust Trump?
| https://www.vox.com/2017/8/29/16211784/paul-manafort-charged-guilty-trial-trump-pardon-power | https://www.ozy.com/opinion/the-mueller-thread-how-roger-clinton-could-set-up-a-don-jr-pardon/92439  |