Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues The Trump Administration Post-Election Mischief

Donald Trump will come to the realization, probably soon that he has lost the election. He will soon have to live with the consequences of that condition. Beginning January 20, 2021, his immunity will expire. He is, by nature, a vain, vile, petulant, petty individual, and has surrounded himself with those of a similar ilk. I think the question we all have to face is, how much damage can they inflict on the country between now and then? Predictions, concerns and defenses are all welcome.

As a percentage of what they have already done?

A lot...

On the other hand, if they quietly and graciously accept the transfer of power, then things will go a lot better for their legal situation in 2021. If they do a lot of damage on their way out, they won't have much sympathy when they face indictment.

On the subject of post-election pardons, I bet Trump doesn't issue any because he feels like everybody betrayed him. Except maybe for Ivanka, and he'll certainly try to pardon himself. But I also bet the Supreme Court says self-pardons are invalid because there is a passage in The Federalist Papers that says no man can be his own judge. A President pardoning himself is essentially self-judgement.

He might have a better chance by resigning and having Pence pardon him, but I think the same logic applies when you try to pardon your own conspirators. Even if they did use succession to pardon each other, it sounds like a successful RICO prosecution could be made.

As for Ivanka, she has the same problem as her dad: Presidential pardons can't touch state crimes, and she has at least an intentional tax evasion charge for getting that $700K consulting fee while she was a salaried employee. Plus they ran that payment through one of her companies to try to conceal it, which is money laundering. Both state crimes. And New York State is not exactly good buddies with either Ivanka or her dad.

Minimal shenanigans is my call. His Magasty may withdraw to his chambers for the duration...or fly to the Winter White House in Palm Beach.

Magasty - good one!

I’ve had the same thought that he might just go pout in his room - or golf course.

and what makes you believe the so-called "originalists" would even bother to make that argument???? If there is an ideological bias available, they will construct an "originalist" interpretation to ensconce it.

The last 3 were carefully chosen to help conservatives achieve their vision. Don't be deceived, the law will not stand in the way of an ideology.

There is some interest in having SDNY indict Trump right now for the charges that put Michael Cohen in prison. Cohen's indictment lists "co-conspirator # 1" as being guilty of the same money laundering and campaign finance violations. So the evidence is all available and the statute of limitations has not run out. Plus they were bimbo payoffs while his wife was pregnant, so it has a nice juicy sex-related twist. The indictment would be an easy thing.

What this would get us is a judge saying the OLC memo about not indicting a standing President is nonsense, so all future Presidents would know they are not above the law. The Supreme Court has already told Donald Trump that, but they failed to say the OLC memo was rubbish. It would also likely force a Supreme Court decision about the validity of Presidential self-pardons.

The next President this would apply to would be Biden, so Trumpists should not be all that offended. Of course, Biden would probably never DO anything illegal, but the Trumpists seem to believe he will.

The head of GSA has not signed the requisite paperwork for a Biden Transition Team, therefore locking out the team from access to money and facilities.

Maybe Mr Trump did win.

Many many people (including the TikToc crew) are calling the Trump Election Fraud hotline and leaving prank calls. They also have a website with no character limit in the message window, so people are pasting screenplays, whole novels, etc. into the report window.

It's like the Four Seasons press conference all over again.

Trump is the modern version of King Midas: Except everything he touches turns to something else. Definitely not gold...