Former President Trump

[Nearly Sane]

just another day in the White House. I don't understand how even hinting at the possibility of letting McFaul be questioned isn't seen as some form of kowtowing to Putin



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44895384

[Aruntraveller]

In case any of you still thought Trump was a bumbling fool, proof that he isn't. He knows exactly what he is doing and why:

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/07/trump-declared-war-lgbtq-rights-heres-everything-hes-done-far/

[Rhiannon]

Only a small thing but Melania finds her fun where she can. And it isn't the first time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45070210

[Roses]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45079377

Trump now admits that his son met up with people in the Kremlin, pre election, to discover information on Clinton.

[Nearly Sane]

Make America Anti-gay Again


https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/08/14/trump-white-house-freedom-to-discriminate-directive/

[Nearly Sane]

This is extraordinary, if there is a deep state it seems to write open letters.


https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/17/opinion/cia-brennan-trump-letters.html#click=https://t.co/g2UCU4EYRL

[Nearly Sane]

Truth isn't truth



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45254374

[Roses]

Truth isn't truth



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45254374

Yep!

[Rhiannon]

Manafort and Cohen both have Guilty verdicts.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/21/manafort-cohen-guilty-verdicts-vindicate-mueller-investigation-trump

[Roses]

Apparently it is well nigh impossible to charge a serving president with a crime, they have to go down the impeachment route which can take ages! It is about time the US changed their constitution.

[Rhiannon]

Maybe not.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/21/trump-manafort-cohen-plea-bargain

[Roses]

Maybe not.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/21/trump-manafort-cohen-plea-bargain

Trump appears to be invincible!

[Rhiannon]

Trump appears to be invincible!

A lot of people appear to be invincible. Until they aren't.

[Shaker]

A lot of people appear to be invincible. Until they aren't.

Yup.

Even Superman had his kryptonite.

[Nearly Sane]

I suspect that Trump will see out his presidency and pardon himself as his last act.

[Rhiannon]

I suspect that Trump will see out his presidency and pardon himself as his last act.

Well he won't run for a second term.

[Roses]

Well he won't run for a second term.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. A lot of people, including myself, didn't think he would last this long.

[Nearly Sane]

I wouldn't be too sure about that. A lot of people, including myself, didn't think he would last this long.

It's not about him being stopped. it's about why would he want to. He'll have all the kudos from having been President and the use he has and will make of it to have money making opportunities. He can play golf, and get lots of people to turn up to speeches. He doesn't have to do the boring stuff. And he will be able to pardon himself for all previous actions.

[Rhiannon]

It's not about him being stopped. it's about why would he want to. He'll have all the kudos from having been President and the use he has and will make of it to have money making opportunities. He can play golf, and get lots of people to turn up to speeches. He doesn't have to do the boring stuff. And he will be able to pardon himself for all previous actions.

I think that maybe whoever follows him might try to do something about the last bit but yes, I don't think he ever wanted the job except to make money out of it if he did get in, and he will have huge money-making opportunities once he's retired (see Blair, Tony) and none of the headache of running the country.

[Nearly Sane]

I think that maybe whoever follows him might try to do something about the last bit but yes, I don't think he ever wanted the job except to make money out of it if he did get in, and he will have huge money-making opportunities once he's retired (see Blair, Tony) and none of the headache of running the country.

Presidential pardons are quite hard to void, and anyone getting in could look as if they were besmirching the office of President, and wasting time. Given that they will have been elected before the pardon, they won't have been able to campaign on the basis to overturn it.

[Rhiannon]

Presidential pardons are quite hard to void, and anyone getting in could look as if they were besmirching the office of President, and wasting time. Given that they will have been elected before the pardon, they won't have been able to campaign on the basis to overturn it.

I think it will be to question whether he has the power to pardon himself.

[Nearly Sane]

I think it will be to question whether he has the power to pardon himself.

Which is a huge legal question that whoever follows would have to pursue through the courts, and Senate for a long time. No Republican president is going  to consider that, and if there is going to be a Republican president he won't need to pardon himself, as they will do it to avoid any blowback on the Republican Party. Any Democrat will likely have been elected on a fairly middle of the road policy. Even if they weren't they are going to have to ask themselves if they want so much time of their Presidency chasing up this and what effect that will have on the other things they might want to achieve. The Republican party won't help any President trying to do it because of the blowback issue already covered.

[SteveH]

Well he won't run for a second term.

I very much hope not - or that he's defeated.

[Rhiannon]

I very much hope not - or that he's defeated.

I think defeat unlikely. If he does decided to run again the way he'll lose will be because something comes out that is so catastrophic he has to withdraw.

I don't think Melania will stick another term.

[Rhiannon]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/22/michael-cohen-has-information-on-conspiracy-by-russians-says-lawyer