Trump considering pardon for Joe Arpaio

[Bdatik]

He pardoned some non-violent weed dealers.

Are you saying lockedout is making it up that Obama pardoned terrorists? Lockedout would never make something up like that!

[Breccia]

Are you saying lockedout is making it up that Obama pardoned terrorists?

No, there was Chelsea Manning -- whose terrorist status is debatable -- and that 74 year old man who was in jail for 35 years but never killed anyone. They were both controversial, but neither were ISIS or anything.

[Wyrt]

Are you saying lockedout is making it up that Obama pardoned terrorists? Lockedout would never make something up like that!

I assume they mean this guy:
http://www.politico.com/magazine/sto...k-obama-214685

He never actually killed anyone or anything.

[Seiklis]

Are you saying lockedout is making it up that Obama pardoned terrorists? Lockedout would never make something up like that!

Probably means the Bergdahl trade

[Lenonis]

Trump even courting the idea of pardoning Arpaio is just a rookie dumb move that will only hurt him. His racist base isn't going anywhere and that the only one who would approve of the move, especially after the Cville events.

It's exceedingly unlikely Arpaio is facing jail time. He's old, retired, no longer in power, and no longer in a position to be a threat to anyone. Given his age and (I believe) a lack of prior history with legal issues I just don't see an outcome where they toss a very old guy into jail.

So the pardon isn't actually saving Arpaio from anything -- it's a pure political statement. One that's likely to continue to erode what little political capital he has left.

[Breccia]

His racist base isn't going anywhere

Um, I think you need to read the "Bannon is out" thread. Just, you know, throwing it out there.

[zorkuus]

Um, I think you need to read the "Bannon is out" thread. Just, you know, throwing it out there.

They're eating eachother alive. i was going to watch some netflix but this shit's too good to pass.

[Breccia]

I think this thread is pretty much over.

Bannon's removal from the WH is such a dramatic shift that Trump can't realistically play both sides anymore. Bannon was more important, but he accepted the resignation/fired him/threw him under the bus/whatever. That, combined with the anti-invite, makes the pardon just impossible to get away with.

[DarkTZeratul]

I think this thread is pretty much over.

Bannon's removal from the WH is such a dramatic shift that Trump can't realistically play both sides anymore. Bannon was more important, but he accepted the resignation/fired him/threw him under the bus/whatever. That, combined with the anti-invite, makes the pardon just impossible to get away with.

You think Trump gives a shit about what he can get away with politically? It wouldn't surprise me if he tries it anyway.

Of course, it also wouldn't surprise me if Trump forgets all about it because he has the attention span of a toddler. Could go either way, really.

[Breccia]

You think Trump gives a shit about what he can get away with politically?

No. I think what's left of his staff does.

[FlatBootyJudy]

Source?

/10char

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...-push-for-con/

[Lenonis]

Um, I think you need to read the "Bannon is out" thread. Just, you know, throwing it out there.

*shrug* The hardcore racists will always vote Republican. They may turn on Trump, but they'll just justify the next (R) as their next hope.

[Breccia]

Well, time to dust this off before tomorrow. Considering the mayor of Phoenix asked him not to pardon, House Rep Andy Biggs asked Trump to pardon, and the governor won't be there at all -- you might say he "Flaked out" har har get it -- and simply said via spokesperson he hoped it would go peacefully, it seems even odds if he will or won't.

And Reuters is reporting Joe himself has no idea.

It'll be interesting to see. Sheriff Joe was sentenced to up to six months in jail for racial profiling, or more correctly, for failing to follow a court order to stop racial profiling. The court's 14 page ruling makes it clear he knew what he was doing, he knew it was wrong, and he continued doing it anyhow. Trump could very well pardon one of his earliest and more vocal supporters from having to appeal the sentence, or from the chance that the courts would actually send an 85-year-old man to jail, but after failing to condemn American Nazis and the KKK, he will almost assuredly be harshly criticized for it and the complicit racism such a pardon suggests, maybe losing more moderate Republicans. Or, he could ignore the option, which isn't exactly something you can tout ("I didn't do that thing nobody would have liked! I get a second scoop tonight!") but risk losing some of his rabid fanbase.

Really, it's a no-win situation. Turns out, being adored by people like American Nazis, the KKK, and people convicted of abusing their power for racist ends is a bit of a quagmire. Kind of like trying to get elected so you'd be in charge of the next decision about Afghanistan. There's no good, easy answers here.

See you tomorrow.

[PACOX]

Who wants to bet some internet points?

[Breccia]

Who wants to bet some internet points?

Um...I'm going to stay away from that. Mostly because this DoJ information says you have to wait five years after conviction for a federal pardon, which does not mesh up with discussions in the past. Seems too murky to dive into.

[PACOX]

Um...I'm going to stay away from that. Mostly because this DoJ information says you have to wait five years after conviction for a federal pardon, which does not mesh up with discussions in the past. Seems too murky to dive into.

The way I read it, the waiting period only applies to someone seeking a pardon. Even then the President can still waive the waiting period. So if Joe the Plumber wanted a pardon but the President didn't explicitly reach out to Joe, Joe would have to wait 5 years before applying for a pardon. The President himself could decide to ignore the waiting period in either scenario.

[Mormolyce]

Hard to say really. Trump never misses an opportunity to shoot himself in the foot, but on the other hand he's frequently tucked his tail between his legs and done as he's told when the heat gets too much.

My guess would be that he won't do it, but will instead ceaselessly bitch about how mean people told him not to pardon dear sweet old Joe Arpaio who never did nuffin wrong.

[Mayhem]

In my opinion, Trump is a Bloomberg NY liberal type that will say anything once to gain political points. He appeals to peoples credulity like a real populist, and populism is neither left nor rightwing.

I just had to leave this here.

[Flarelaine]

Trump has the most hilariously horrible sense of timing.

To be honest, pardoning this douchebag would be wrong anywhen.

- - - Updated - - -

Um...I'm going to stay away from that. Mostly because this DoJ information says you have to wait five years after conviction for a federal pardon, which does not mesh up with discussions in the past. Seems too murky to dive into.

It also includes the following:

In addition, the petitioner should have fully satisfied the penalty imposed, including all probation, parole, or supervised release before applying for clemency.

[downnola]

I just had to leave this here.

Flirting with the idea to pardon Joe Arpaio doesn't contradict a word in that quote whatsoever. In fact, it reinforces the idea that he will literally say anything to gain political points.