We need to restrict the pardon powers of a president

[Le Gaucher]

He should not be able to Pardon

1) himself
2) Any Family or Friend
3) anyone connected to a campaign to elect him/her president ( including campaign contributors/ staff)
4) Political Apointees


This is common sense and I wonder why these restrictions werent put in place already. Any reason why we shouldnt do this?

[Else You Are Mad]

1. Unfortunately...

That would take a constitutional convention to enact a new amendment. And, the GOP controls more states than the Dems and they control the Congress as well.

[Le Gaucher]

3. This isn't about trump... but a loophole in powers . We dont want anyone , Republican or Democrat to

exploit this loophole

Talk Radio loves to rail about Clinton's questionable pardons.

So this is something that should have wide support - if we approach it correctly and not make it about Trump

[Else You Are Mad]

4. Agreed.

But, getting a constitutional amendment is unlikely in this political atmosphere. We would have to have Democrats and Republicans agree to to change the constitution.

[monmouth4]

2. Considering the hiring of family, friend, political appointees, etc. was considered illegal, I can

understand why these restrictions were not in place. Whoda thunk?

[Igel]

8. How is the hiring of a political appointee illegal?

You mean the president can't appoint anybody to his cabinet or chief of staff or advisors. He must delegate out these executive powers?

Problem is the president is the source of all executive power, like SCOTUS is in charge of the judiciary. Congress has neither judicial nor executive powers, except what's necessary for a few tasks that aren't legislative in nature.

Same for "friend." Define it. How many do you have? 1? 50? Where's the cut-off? Now, define it.

There's a way to keep such from being appointed. They can be screened out during the advise-and-consent phase of the appointment.

[Cicada]

5. It won't pass so why waste time and effort?

We need to focus on things which matter to real people. Koch brothers buying laws they want matters. Distorted voting districts matter. Trump in or out of a jail cell makes absolutely no difference in my life nor in yours.

Let's not fall into Trump's trap of focusing on things which don't matter.

[Le Gaucher]

6. nice perspective . thanks

[Baconator]

7. How does one legally quantify 'friend'?

Same for the campaign... How many degrees out do we go?

[Igel]

9. I guess if you donated $3 to Bill Clinton's

campaign, you'd have been excluded from any job in HRC's executive branch.

That would be one way to keep all government workers from taking sides. "You there, I heard you say something about voting for Obama. You're fired, front-desk clerk at the Phoenix Social Security office. And you, EPA technician, you gave money to Obama's campaign. Terminated."

Low-level appointees, not a problem. High-level appointees, Congress vets.