• dhork@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    49
    ·
    2 days ago

    The only limit the US Constitution puts on the President’s pardon power is that it cannot be used in cases of impeachment.

    • iamthetot@piefed.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      22
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      2 days ago

      And as we know, the US Constitution sure has stopped them doing whatever they want.

      • dhork@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        12
        ·
        2 days ago

        It’s only removal from office, and optionally also disqualification from holding any future Federal office.

        But, even though impeachment is meant to look like a trial, it is not a trial. And if someone is determined to have committed a crime as part of the impeachment proceedings, they can still be prosecuted. That person might be able to complain that they can’t possibly get a fair trial after a public impeachment, but that’s a separate matter.

        • LincolnsDogFido@lemmy.zip
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          1 day ago

          That person might be able to complain that they can’t possibly get a fair trial after a public impeachment, but that’s a separate matter.

          I(love)ANAL, but if I were the prosecuting attorney in this case and the defense were to go this route, my rebuttal would be that the impeachment process are legal proceedings that are also meant to be fair and impartial. Thus, the impeachment itself could be admitted as a piece of evidence in the case supporting prosecution for the specific crime committed and covered by the articles of impeachment.

          Logically, that makes sense to me, but maybe there’s a different strategy that would be more effective.