VERIFY: Can President Trump pardon himself?
There s been a lot of talk about presidential pardoning powers. Here s what a president can, and can t, do. Author: Shannon Handy (Reporter) Updated: 6:46 PM PST January 8, 2021
SAN DIEGO As President Trump s time in office is coming to an end, some sources are reporting he s considering not only pardoning members of his family but also himself.
Trump has given out several pardons but a President has never pardoned himself. Nixon was pardoned, but that was by Ford after Nixon left office.
Now, legal experts from all over are weighing in.
“The consideration of a self-pardon is not unprecedented but if it were actually used, it would be and it would create a historical precedent,” legal analyst, Dan Eaton said.
Frank Bowman, a Legal Historian and University of Missouri Law Professor
Jon Sheldon, a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Dan Kobil, a Capital University Law Professor.
WHAT WE FOUND:
After the stunning scene of insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, countless leaders are calling for accountability.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser held a press conference Thursday, asking for the public’s help to identify members of the mob that stormed the Capitol, to help law enforcement hold them accountable.
President Trump’s message to those insurrectionists has been different. In a video message recorded during the siege, President Trump told the group, “So go home. We love you. You are very special.”
Many of these would encompass any crimes that may have been committed prior to the pardon being issued, according to Bloomberg. The pardons could be announced Jan. 19 the day before he leaves office.
Legal expert and University of Missouri professor Frank O. Bowman told the TEGNA VERIFY team last month that a president cannot pardon someone for crimes that might be committed after the pardon is made.
A self-pardon opens a legal conundrum that s never been explored. If that pardon survived a challenge in the courts, then future presidents could commit federal crimes and simply pardon themselves before leaving office.
HEADLINES & GLOBAL NEWS
By
Dec 18, 2020 10:00 AM EST
The next president of the United States with the most electoral votes will win. However, only Congress can declare the winner if there is total agreement.
This recent electoral exercise saw one of the most challenging results in several swing states and others that cast their electoral college votes. Results are now under question as to whether they are legal or not. But as they are now considered part of the ballot, they by no means do not make the one with 270 votes the president.
Placing votes in the college, choosing who will be the electors in Congress on January 6, 2021 won t be easy because there is another layer to ensure the rightful winner wins the U.S elections. Once everyone has agreed, the votes will be counted in the Lower House to declare the winner, reported The Epoch Times.
After voting for Trump, Texas electors pressure battleground states to overturn election chron.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chron.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.