Trump on a pardoning rampage: Blagojevich, Milken, NYPD commish, former Niners owner...

[KCfromNC]

Because they were all processed/stamped and dated on the same day doesn't mean they were all reviewed, chosen, and the paperwork done all on that same day. It's more likely that they were reviewed and chosen over a matter of weeks. It's also likely that aides are the first to go through them with a list of requirements they are looking for before the President makes the final choices.

Yeah, because we all know that if there's one thing Donald isn't known for, it is impulsive poorly thought out decisions which disregard the advice of the people around him...

/s

 

[hislegacy]

Oh man, we couldn't be that lucky, could we?

Nope, not likely.

 

[wing2000]

Milken....I can understand how Trump's "empathy"---

The ability of speculative-grade borrowers to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in the corporate credit market late in the last century allowed Trump’s various organizations to fund projects despite serial defaults. At the same time, “securitization” took hold, which essentially meant that virtually anything could become a tradable security. And if it were liquid enough to trade, it could obtain a higher price.

It’s Michael Milken’s World. Trump and Bloomberg Just Live in It.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I'm just wondering why these people? They are not exactly the best of people.

For the appearance that they are good people.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

 

[SimplyMe]

It appears one of the pardons may have been "paid for" by campaign contributions, with the son and daughter-in-law donating over $200,000 to the Trump campaign (through the campaign and Trump's PAC); they had previously donated less than $10,000 to various Republican candidates (and, from what I see, none to Democrats).

 

[TLK Valentine]

It appears one of the pardons may have been "paid for" by campaign contributions, with the son and daughter-in-law donating over $200,000 to the Trump campaign (through the campaign and Trump's PAC); they had previously donated less than $10,000 to various Republican candidates (and, from what I see, none to Democrats).

So that's the going rate these days...

 

[TLK Valentine]

Didn't take long for the whataboutism to set in, anything to praise a dear leader.

Not only did it set in, but it got bungled. Color me surprised.

 

[wing2000]

....Trump relates to his billionaire kin (or at least in his mind he is):

Of the fewer than three dozen people who have received clemency from Trump, at least three of them are reportedly billionaires, like Trump claims to be. Trump previously pardoned the media-mogul author of a Trump hagiography, Conrad Black, and on Tuesday, Trump added former junk bond king Michael Milken and ex-San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. There are an estimated 600 billionaires in the United States, and very few of them have gone to prison, but Trump has now pardoned three.

....oh the irony of Trump's phone call comments ( hint - when Trump says he isn't one of them, you can be that he is):

Back in August, as he was weighing the commutation of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich’s (D) sentence (which Trump granted Tuesday), Trump suggested that the phone call on which Blagojevich was caught talking about selling an appointment to the U.S. Senate wasn’t actually bad.

“He’s been in jail for seven years over a phone call where nothing happens — over a phone call which he shouldn’t have said what he said, but it was braggadocio, you would say,” Trump said in early August. “I would think that there have been many politicians — I’m not one of them, by the way — that have said a lot worse over the telephone.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/19/trump-keeps-pardoning-himself/

 

[bhsmte]

Overall, i think this slew of pardons, falls in line with how past presidents have operated.

 

[jgarden]

Overall, i think this slew of pardons, falls in line with how past presidents have operated.

Trump on a pardoning rampage: Blagojevich, Milken, NYPD commish, former Niners owner...

As I recall, this President promised to drain, not pardon, the swamp!

 

[Albion]

Trump on a pardoning rampage: Blagojevich, Milken, NYPD commish, former Niners owner...

As I recall, this President promised to drain, not pardon, the swamp!

That's cute, but bhsmte was correct. Other presidents have pardoned more people than Trump did with these people and arguably for more dubious reasons.

Those presidents, however, generally waited until the last moments of their time in office to do it, which means that anyone who didn't care for those pardons had no good avenue for protesting it.

 

[Kentonio]

Those presidents, however, generally waited until the last moments of their time in office to do it, which means that anyone who didn't care for those pardons had no good avenue for protesting it.

That’s not actually true though is it? Congress investigated the Marc Rich pardon extensively.

 

[jgarden]

That's cute, but bhsmte was correct. Other presidents have pardoned more people than Trump did with these people and arguably for more dubious reasons.

Those presidents, however, generally waited until the last moments of their time in office to do it, which means that anyone who didn't care for those pardons had no good avenue for protesting it.

Most presidents have the names of those under consideration for a pardon "vetted" by a 3rd party to avoid any suggestion or appearance of favoritism - all of Trump's choices, however, either have a personal relationship with him or one of his friends!

Many observers think that the real purpose behind this round of presidential pardons is to send a none too subtle reminder to Roger Stone and General Michael Flynn that if they keep their mouths shut and refuse to co-operate with DOJ, both will be rewarded in the future!

 

[Albion]

all of Trump's choices either have a personal relationship with him or one of his friends!

What's the relationship with Blagojevich?

Many observers thing that this round of presidential pardons is a none too subtle reminder to Roger Stone and General that if they keep their mouths shut they will be rewarded in the future!

So...if he had some relationship, he shouldn't have done it. But if he had none, he shouldn't have done it.

 

[jgarden]

What's the relationship with Blagojevich?

The most obvious Blagojevich/Trump connection was that they appeared together on "The Apprentice" - as previously stated, the real significance of these pardons was that they were probably intended to send a reassuring message to Stone and Flynn and constitute yet another example of Trump trying to control the news cycle - rather than any long term interest in those who were actually pardoned!

It should be noted that by accepting a presidential pardon, that constitutes an admission of guilt of the crime for which one was charged!

In 1915, the Supreme Court indeed said, of pardons, that “acceptance” carries “a confession of” guilt. Burdick v. United States (1915). Other courts have echoed that since.

 

[Cimorene]

Meanwhile there are still kids being traumatized for life bc of his insanely cruel policies. Separated from their parents bc they tried to seek out a safe life for them & committed a misdemeanor offense (if that bc some got detained when seeking asylum which is legal). But Trump's not gonna say "SO UNFAIR" about a 2 yr old in a cage or a 9 yr old who has been separated for 3 yrs from her mom. He gives all his sympathy to the rich powerful dudes who corruptly exploit their power to get even richer like all these men he just pardoned.

 

[Albion]

The most obvious Blagojevich/Trump was that they appeared together on the "Apprentice"

Maybe. That seems a rather weak connection, though.

it should be noted that by accepting a presidential pardon, that constitutes an admission of guilt for the crime!

Yes. So? I don't believe that the President said anything about him being innocent. For most of these people, it was that the sentences were overly severe. And Blogo did serve already more than half of his sentence.

In 1915, the Supreme Court indeed said, of pardons, that “acceptance” carries “a confession of” guilt. Burdick v. United States (1915). Other courts have echoed that since.

Again, so?

 

[StevenBelievin]

After he pardons all the Russia investigation convictions then he will jail Pelosi and Schiff on treason charges.

 

[Cimorene]

After he pardons all the Russia investigation convictions then he will jail Pelosi and Schiff on treason charges.

Poe's Law. Lol.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Maybe. That seems a rather weak connection, though.

It was enough for him to bring Omarosa to the White House.