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These Convictions Thwart Trump’s Plan to Pardon Himself
(theintercept.com)
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this post was submitted on 31 May 2024
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Trying to understand… Wouldn’t he just coerce the governor into pardoning him once president?
Given his character, he would certainly try.
Assuming that the current Democrat holding the office (Kathy Hochul) is not replaced by a Republican (fat chance), I doubt any amount of coercion would result in a pardon. Coercing a public official is also a felony, and sitting Presidents can be tried for state crimes. Never happened before, but DJT has been busting that mold.
Naw Hocul would never do that, would be political suicide in NY.
Pardoning is done at their sole discretion. There is nothing illegal about bribing for a pardon. Trump could easily have a SPAC say "hey, here's $500m, pardon him and retire." Political suicide for sure. But not illegal, there is precedent, and if there's life changing money (maybe a fraction of that) there's a possibility.
Look up Mark Rich as an example.
Keeping a political donation for personal use is illegal, as is bribing a public official. They might offer a highly paid position to get around it. But as you say, it's political suicide, and if the money went to the Democrat party, as it did with Marc Rich, the party risks a big black eye as well.