Michael Gaynor
Will President Trump pardon Michael Flynn to have Flynn tell his story?
By Michael Gaynor
If President Trump pardons Flynn, the pardon would not permit any future crime, but it would permit Flynn to tell his story without fear of prosecution for any past crimes and he could do that by testifying before Congress or appearing on Hannity.
Sometimes the President of the United States has the last word.
When it comes to the presidential pardon power, it is solely for the President to pardon or not to pardon.
Former General and National Security Adviser Michael Flynn says he has a story to tell and wants immunity for his testimony.
Whether or not Congress or the United States Justice Department should give immunity is up to them.
But neither Congress nor the United States Justice Department can stop Flynn from telling his story for fear of prosecution, whether warranted or unwarranted, if President Donald Trump decides to pardon Flynn.
If President Trump believes that it is necessary for Flynn to tell the story, whatever it might be, he can grant Flynn "a full, free, and absolute pardon...for all offenses against the United States which he...has committed or may have committed or taken part in during" whatever period of time President Trump decides.
If President Trump pardons Flynn, the pardon would not permit any future crime, but it would permit Flynn to tell his story without fear of prosecution for any past crimes and he could do that by testifying before Congress or appearing on Hannity.
See the pardon that President Ford issued in 1974 to hsi predecessor, President Nixon below.
President Gerald R. Ford's Proclamation 4311, Granting a Pardon to Richard Nixon
–
September 8, 1974
By the President of the United States of America a Proclamation
Richard Nixon became the thirty-seventh President of the United States on January 20, 1969 and was reelected in 1972 for a second term by the electors of forty-nine of the fifty states. His term in office continued until his resignation on August 9, 1974.
Pursuant to resolutions of the House of Representatives, its Committee on the Judiciary conducted an inquiry and investigation on the impeachment of the President extending over more than eight months. The hearings of the Committee and its deliberations, which received wide national publicity over television, radio, and in printed media, resulted in votes adverse to Richard Nixon on recommended Articles of Impeachment.
As a result of certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States. Whether or not he shall be so prosecuted depends on findings of the appropriate grand jury and on the discretion of the authorized prosecutor. Should an indictment ensue, the accused shall then be entitled to a fair trial by an impartial jury, as guaranteed to every individual by the Constitution.
It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former President of the United States. The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States.
Now, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9,1974.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-ninth.
GERALD R. FORD
© Michael Gaynor
April 3, 2017
If President Trump pardons Flynn, the pardon would not permit any future crime, but it would permit Flynn to tell his story without fear of prosecution for any past crimes and he could do that by testifying before Congress or appearing on Hannity.
Sometimes the President of the United States has the last word.
When it comes to the presidential pardon power, it is solely for the President to pardon or not to pardon.
Former General and National Security Adviser Michael Flynn says he has a story to tell and wants immunity for his testimony.
Whether or not Congress or the United States Justice Department should give immunity is up to them.
But neither Congress nor the United States Justice Department can stop Flynn from telling his story for fear of prosecution, whether warranted or unwarranted, if President Donald Trump decides to pardon Flynn.
If President Trump believes that it is necessary for Flynn to tell the story, whatever it might be, he can grant Flynn "a full, free, and absolute pardon...for all offenses against the United States which he...has committed or may have committed or taken part in during" whatever period of time President Trump decides.
If President Trump pardons Flynn, the pardon would not permit any future crime, but it would permit Flynn to tell his story without fear of prosecution for any past crimes and he could do that by testifying before Congress or appearing on Hannity.
See the pardon that President Ford issued in 1974 to hsi predecessor, President Nixon below.
President Gerald R. Ford's Proclamation 4311, Granting a Pardon to Richard Nixon
–
September 8, 1974
By the President of the United States of America a Proclamation
Richard Nixon became the thirty-seventh President of the United States on January 20, 1969 and was reelected in 1972 for a second term by the electors of forty-nine of the fifty states. His term in office continued until his resignation on August 9, 1974.
Pursuant to resolutions of the House of Representatives, its Committee on the Judiciary conducted an inquiry and investigation on the impeachment of the President extending over more than eight months. The hearings of the Committee and its deliberations, which received wide national publicity over television, radio, and in printed media, resulted in votes adverse to Richard Nixon on recommended Articles of Impeachment.
As a result of certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States. Whether or not he shall be so prosecuted depends on findings of the appropriate grand jury and on the discretion of the authorized prosecutor. Should an indictment ensue, the accused shall then be entitled to a fair trial by an impartial jury, as guaranteed to every individual by the Constitution.
It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former President of the United States. The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States.
Now, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9,1974.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-ninth.
GERALD R. FORD
© Michael Gaynor
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