The language of Article II is quite explicit in giving the president a pardon power over federal offenses with the only exception related to impeachments. Donald Trump can certainly make a good-faith textual case for the right to self-pardon. Jonathan Turley More Quotes by Jonathan Turley More Quotes From Jonathan Turley Law professors like Obama tend to view the law as one means to an end, and others, like myself, tend to view it as the end itself. Jonathan Turley endviewmyselflaw Truth be known, President Obama has never been particularly driven by principle. Right after his election, I wrote a column in a few days warning people that even though I voted for Obama, he was not what people were describing him to be. I saw him in the Senate. I saw him in Chicago. Jonathan Turley neverelectiontruthpeople The Republican and Democratic parties have accomplished an amazing feat with the red state/blue state paradigm. They've convinced everyone that regardless of how bad they are, the other guy is worse. Jonathan Turley everyoneamazingbadred Bill Clinton was impeached primarily for criminal conduct: lying under oath and misleading a federal grand jury about his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Nixon would have been impeached for a wide array of criminal acts, as well as abuses of power. Jonathan Turley wellaboutjurypower Obama is as likely to be impeached as he is to be installed as the next pontiff. And I say that as someone who has testified in Congress that this president has violated federal laws, unconstitutionally appointed various executive-branch officers and improperly transferred money. Jonathan Turley saysomeonenextmoney I happen to agree with many of President Obama's policies, but in our system, it is often as important how you do something as what you do. Jonathan Turley happensomethingyouimportant In Washington, task forces work like Tylenol: they reduce the symptoms of scandal while leaving the substance untouched. Jonathan Turley tasklikeleavingwork After almost half a billion dollars spent on the computer registration system for Obamacare, the website coughed, sputtered, and appeared to descend into an immediate coma as millions tried to log on. One reason is that the Obama administration never fully tested it. Jonathan Turley neverwebsitehalfreason I've said it before: Barack Obama is really the president Richard Nixon always wanted to be. You know, he's been allowed to act unilaterally in a way that we've fought for decades. Jonathan Turley knowyoualwaysway Our carefully constructed system of checks and balances is being negated by the rise of a fourth branch, an administrative state of sprawling departments and agencies that govern with increasing autonomy and decreasing transparency. Jonathan Turley systemrisebeingtransparency There are many people that frankly cannot get themselves to oppose Barack Obama. They make a lot of excuse for him. Jonathan Turley cannotmakegetpeople If they seize evidence of another crime, they are allowed to share with other prosecutors or investigators provided the information was obtained legally with a valid search warrant, it would probably be challenged in court, but a judge would be unlikely to throw it out if it was obtained validly. Jonathan Turley In these cases, the court balances the public's interest against the need for continued secrecy, this was a historic raid that has caused a great deal of public unrest. Millions of Americans are questioning the motivation of the Justice Department. Jonathan Turley The Justice Department continues to operate as if everyone is asking for full disclosure, they can redact portions of the affidavit. They can allow the court to review the redaction and make judgments as to how sensitive the provisions might be. But they oppose it wholesale to the detriment of the American public. Jonathan Turley There will be particular attention to whether there were gaps between barriers and any police cruiser.This vehicle appeared to get through the barrier at a high enough speed to then evade following officers. It also appears completely functional after forcing its way through to the parade route. That raises concerns over the placement of the barriers. Jonathan Turley Neither side presented the full depth and rivaling authorities on this question, that was a disappointment. Moreover, there was no evidence of any minds being changed in either the Senate chamber or the country as a whole. Jonathan Turley The vote was close, it declared the trial constitutional and effectively over. Like much else in our politics, there was more rage than reason brought to the issue. Jonathan Turley This would be the first impeachment in history where there would be considerable debate, and in my view, not compelling evidence of the commission of a crime. Jonathan Turley With all due respect to the chairman, I do not believe that those factors were satisfied. Jonathan Turley I am concerned about lowering impeachment standards to fit a paucity of evidence and an abundance of anger. I believe this impeachment not only fails to satisfy the standard of past impeachments but would create a dangerous precedent for future impeachments. Jonathan Turley
