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Trump pardons ex-'junk bond king' Milken, commutes Blagojevich sentence

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By Jeff Mason

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“The pardoning of these disgraced figures should be treated as another national scandal by a lawless executive,”

Nutshell. In addition to the asterisk denoting his impeachment, the Trump era will be known as the first to have established a thugocracy, a time when the most rapacious of the predator class have gained their greatest power. But as the old sarge says, laws are for peasants, not the 'elite' ruling class. tee hee

8 ( +10 / -2 )

So Trump pardons a rich guy for failing to report as the law requires but ruins ordinary Federal employees for reporting as the law requires.

Water seeks its own level.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

So one guy was actually released from jail after serving 8 years. The rest had already served their full sentences.

A criminal Democrat whose release was supported by the Dem senator from his state, Trump hater Dick Durbin. Also supported by Jesse Jackson. What’s the problem here?

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

What’s the problem here?

Whats the problem? Rod got caught on a wiretap trying to sell Obama's Senate seat. That's the problem. As a native Illinoisan, this is an absolute joke.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Trump just pardoned someone caught on tape selling political positions.

And some people ask why that’s a problem.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

The message is clear; if you're corrupt, don't panic, Trump got your back.

King of the swamp.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

tRump showing his true colors, rewarding thuggery and corruption

10 ( +11 / -1 )

So Dem Senator Dick Durbin and Jesse Jackson are wrong?

8 years wasn’t enough?

Your party is selling your President nomination to Bloomberg right now.

So I am not convinced.

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

The criminal was a Democrat. doing Dem Chicago style politics as usual. He already been in jail longer than rapists, drug dealers and some murderers.

Conveniently ignored here by Orangemanbad liberals.

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

Obama pardoned 212 people including these criminals -

James Cartwright, retired United States Marine Corps four-star general, he pleaded guilty to giving false statements to federal investigators in 2016 and was awaiting sentencing. Pardoned on January 17, 2017.

Dwight J. Loving, U.S. Army private sentenced to death in Texas for murdering two taxi drivers in 1988. Commuted to life without parole on January 17, 2017.

Chelsea Manning, U.S. Army whistleblower convicted by court-martial in July 2013, sentenced to 35 years in prison for providing classified documents to WikiLeaks. Commuted on January 17, 2017.

Oscar López Rivera, FALN member sentenced in 1981 to 55 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, use of force to commit robbery, interstate transportation of firearms, and conspiracy to transport explosives with intent to destroy government property, and subsequently to an additional 15 years for attempted escape in 1988. Commuted on January 17, 2017.

What's up with that?

-13 ( +0 / -13 )

Wasn’t unusual.

“By the end of his second and final term on January 20, 2017, United States President Barack Obamahad exercised his constitutional power to grant the executive clemency—that is, "pardon, commutation of sentence, remission of fine or restitution, and reprieve"—to 1,927 individuals convicted of federal crimes.”

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Ok. Give us some examples of Obama’s commutations that were as egregious as this.

Even one. You can do that right?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

This power the president has really is weird though. It. It basically asks for corruption. And look, here we are!

9 ( +10 / -1 )

The criminal was a Democrat. doing Dem Chicago style politics as usual

Yes, I read the article. A criminal is a criminal, regardless of what his political hue is.

Trump has been on his side since before becoming president.

Just a coincidence Blagojevich was on his telly show, right?

The US is riddled with corruption. Trump exemplifies the debased nature of politics, so his latest round of pardons is true to form.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Weird thing is I saw Rod Blagojevich on The Apprentice and quite liked him.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Obama pardoned 212 people including these criminals

What has that got to do with Trump?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

The criminal was a Democrat. doing Dem Chicago style politics as usual. He already been in jail longer than rapists, drug dealers and some murderers.

The key words here being “the criminal”.

Leave him in jail.

Unlike you guys we don’t support criminals because they are on our team. You know - or rather you don’t - ethics.

The fact that you think the above quote has relevance only exposes your unethical worldview, as you’re projecting your way of thinking that one must defend someone on their team because they are on the same team, clueless as to the ethics by which we base our own worldview.

Trump 2020, right?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Good one on the President.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Any of them that involved violence, led directly or indirectly to any deaths or anyone trafficking in illegal drugs.

Ok. Give us some examples of Obama’s commutations that were as egregious as this.

Even one. You can do that right?

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

For once, Numpty Trumpty is actually thinking (ahead).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Any of them that involved violence, led directly or indirectly to any deaths or anyone trafficking in illegal drugs.

And if any such things exist Obama deserves the same criticism we are giving Trump, and Trump deserves the same criticism you are giving Obama.

Right?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Where will it end? Will he have another go at getting the Central Park Five convicted? And fulfil his fantasy of having them executed?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The first act of President Sanders should be to move to abolish the feudalistic right of presidents to pardon miscreants before taking aim at that other gross anachronism blighting American democracy: the electoral college.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Yep so why the big outrage over someone who served 8 years already, was non violent and won’t be a threat to society.

not like he will ever be in a position to have another seat to sell or do any more Dem political corruption right?

Right

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Forgive me for being suspicious of the motives here. This guy is worth more to your side as another Trump supposed abuse of power complaint than he is worth to your side as a person.

I don’t see any of you calling for any criminals from your side to go to jail. You know all those guys who lied to FBI and Congress.

Until I see that call for action, I don’t buy the “criminals need to be in jail not matter what side they are” narrative.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

The USA is beginning to look more and more like Putin's Russia everyday.

Corrupt to the core.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

@blacklabI don’t see any of you calling for any criminals from your side to go to jail.

I've yet to read posts from those not on your, Trump's or Putin's 'side' (alt right term intended to further splinter) saying criminals, regardless political association, should NOT go to jail. Or is it once again the libs/dems/otherside's voices dwelling within you're hearing. I have read lots of posts from your 'side' saying those on the other 'side' should be jailed for the 'crimes' imagined by those in your 'side'.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Obama pardoned 212 people including these criminals

What has that got to do with Trump?

Perspective, Toasted, perspective.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Yep so why the big outrage over someone who served 8 years already, was non violent and won’t be a threat to society.

Obama pardoned 212 people including these criminals.

Just look at the Trumpers here try in vain to defend their Great Orange Moron. They can only offer "But What About" dodges or other pathetically weak excuses.

Is it any surprise Donnie pardons and commutes the absolute dregs of society - scum like Rob Blagojevich and Mike Milken - convicted con-men and scammers.

He's obviously under the delusion he can win next Nov and is recruiting new Cabinet members....

Blagojevich for Attorney General and Milken for Sec of the Treasury...the whole cabinet will be nothing but ex-cons...

Just like any other mob or crime family...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"Trump Pardons the Swamp" - Headline on HuffPo.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

So Dem Senator Dick Durbin and Jesse Jackson are wrong?

Yes, absolutely. If they're on board with pardoning Blago- they're absolutely wrong. What he did isn't like some kid selling dope or doing B&E. This kind of crime strikes at the core of our democracy.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I've yet to read posts from those not on your, Trump's or Putin's 'side' (alt right term intended to further splinter) saying criminals, regardless political association, should NOT go to jail. Or is it once again the libs/dems/otherside's voices dwelling within you're hearing. I have read lots of posts from your 'side' saying those on the other 'side' should be jailed for the 'crimes' imagined by those in your 'side'.

You and Lincoln love the Russia drained narrative so much, why? Even Democrats are slowing giving up on that failed narrative, it’s so 2016.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

"Trump Pardons the Swamp" - Headline on HuffPo.

But you guys were silent when Obama pardoned and protected the swamp, ease up now on that double standard.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Serrano: Perspective, Toasted, perspective.

Aren't these the types of rich, corrupt people that made you lose faith in America and vote for a man like Trump in the first place?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Yep so why the big outrage over someone who served 8 years already, was non violent and won’t be a threat to society.

The same reason you're outraged about these supposed equivalently egregious pardons Obama made.

Unless you aren't actually outraged. Which is it?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

And by that I mean, we aren't calling for people who are only guilty of being the subject of your team's conspiracy theories to be put in jail, because that's not how the world works here. You're trying to equate letting out a convicted criminal, with us not calling for people to go to jail based on your teams conspiracy theories and nothing more.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

In Trump's own words on this topic and also he's not willing to kill millions of people in Afghanistan and is negotiating with the Taliban and reducing U.S. forces there -

Trump commutes sentence of ex-Gov. Blagojevich, pardons Kerik

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfQaBw69aI

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

Aren't these the types of rich, corrupt people that made you lose faith in America and vote for a man like Trump in the first place?

I haven't lost faith in America. I might if a geriatric socialist is elected president and the radical Dems take back the Senate and hold onto the House. But that's not gonna happen.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

8 years is enough compared to democrats letting Bloomberg buy the nomination. If someone can buy it then who is selling it now?

Claim they can’t & will never change the debate rules no way! then change them once all the people of color are eliminated due to lack of money. When white guy with unlimited money pop up then rules can be changed.

bought AND sold.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

None of these guys upset when last guy did this like 2000 times. Very telling it was just the power of the Constitution given to him by being a president. No big deal

but trump nope it’s just Orangemanbad

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

None of these guys upset when last guy did this like 2000 times.

I don't know if he did actually do this 2000 times. I can't see any reason why you guys wouldn't have gone on about it 2000 times, and I certainly don't recall that.

But let's say he did do it 2000 times, for the sake of argument. That's pathetic, and in such a case Obama should have been ashamed of himself for filling the swamp.

Just like it's pathetic now that Trump is doing it now and filling the swamp. Right?

 

 

 

...right?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

All but 1 person already served their full sentence and the one who didn’t has served more than enough time. What is to criticize?

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

You guys act like commutations and pardons are brand new things that Trump created or something. He even does it for Democrats when he feels justice wasn’t done. Go complain to Durbin and Jesse Jackson for asking for it.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

8 years is enough compared to democrats letting Bloomberg buy the nomination. If someone can buy it then who is selling it now? 

at this point Democrats are so desperate, that they’re willing to do a deal with the former Republican billionaire to try and take out Trump, pretty pathetic when you think about it.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

@bas4f .to try and take out Trump, pretty pathetic when you think about it.

I have thought quite a bit about it and seen that it's those who want to preserve the remaining bits of the republic and uphold the Constitution who are saying anyone but Trump. November will show what the majority of American voters think.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Donny seems to have just about given up on his hopes for a 2nd term, hence the flurry of pardons.

Question is who will pardon the pardoner!!!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I haven't lost faith in America. I might if a geriatric socialist is elected president and the radical Dems take back the Senate and hold onto the House. But that's not gonna happen.

8 years is enough compared to democrats letting Bloomberg buy the nomination. If someone can buy it then who is selling it now?

Notice the trend here? Switch the topic but don't engage on the subject of the article...it just goes to show you they can't defend the indefensible...

The Great Orange Con-Man has come to the rescue of some of the swampiest, most corrupt, most disgusting criminals to ever wear an orange jumpsuit...

Remember, Blagojevich was found guilty of 17 charges (including wire fraud, attempted extortion, and conspiracy to solicit bribes). One of the charges was a "QPQ" payoff of $1.5 million in exchange for the Senate seat.

I guess Donnie wants some expert advice on how to do a shakedown for his next try with a foreign government to get fake dirt on an opponent...

Keep it up Donnie - American voters are watching you enlarge the swamp...

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I have thought quite a bit about it and seen that it's those who want to preserve the remaining bits of the republic and uphold the Constitution

That’s what Trump is doing and fools like Sanders want to destroy the very institution of free market capitalism, it’s so bad even the Democrats are trying to stop Sanders.

anyone but Trump. November will show what the majority of American voters think.

Yeah, like they did in 2016. I remember when Pelosi said, Trump will never be President. Lol

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Heh not a single critical republican comment on trump pardoning the swamp.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

That’s what Trump is doing and fools like Sanders want to destroy the very institution of free market capitalism

This is nonsense. Delirious partisan nonsense.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

@bas4fthe very institution of free market capitalism, i

When in the last couple centuries of the planet has there ever been 'free market capitalism'. You can't seriously be saying Trump's actually a 'free market capitalist' after his latest proposed federal billion dollar plus bailout for uranium extractors, not after all the subsidies (aka welfare/SOCIALISM for the corporations) he continues to provide to his fellow crony 'capitalists', not after he's allowed his family and syndicate to use the White House to pad their bank accounts. not after all the companies he's helped get government contracts, not after all the companies he's criticized when they don't toe the line set by him and his government workers, etc. etc.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

This is nonsense. Delirious partisan nonsense.

Thinking he wouldn’t is delusional none sense.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

I agree with Alice.

Trump grants clemency to 11 individuals; Alice Johnson, who sentence was commuted by the president in 2018, weighs in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGawaIxpvE

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

So you figure Alice’s experience justifies Trump pardoning the swamp?

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Well, after thinking about it a little, maybe there is method to Donnie's madness....

He must have realized that he's toast this Nov, and that he'll also lose the Senate.

That means the Dems own the House, Senate and WH - and its time to investigate all the "swamp" that was the Trump administration.

Donnie, Pence, Mulvaney, Pompeo, Perry, Giuliani, Don Jr/Eric (Beavis and Butthead), Ivanka, Jared, and all the rest will be held accountable...

Donnie is just making room at Club Fed for him and all his cabal once they're convicted...

5 ( +5 / -0 )

8 years is enough compared to democrats letting Bloomberg buy the nomination. If someone can buy it then who is selling it now?

Your whole argument is based on a faulty premise. Bloomberg isn't literally "buying" the election- it's a figure of speech for the way he's thrown his money around to get more media attention. You know, kind of exactly like Donny did.

What Blago did was a crime. He was thrown out of office in a unanimous vote.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Bloomberg isn't literally "buying" the election- it's a figure of speech for the way he's thrown his money around to get more media attention

Fair point except for one wrinkle. The DNC promised no debate rule changes a while back. A nice $ deposit by Bloomberg and he’s in like Flint.

invalid CSRF

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Trumpets have escaped the thread rather than criticizing Trump

In their defense, most have written that notions like honesty, integrity, ethics, morality and other notions previously viewed by most 'westerners' as qualities are yesterday notions. They've freely admitted all that matters is getting and taking as much as possible now. They've ramped up the 'greed is good' notion they spouted in the Reagan era and are now saying get it while you can, screw the laws and 'decency'. And if you do something the old system says was illegal, don't worry: Trump will have you pardoned.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

letting Bloomberg buy the nomination. If someone can buy it then who is selling it now?

Nothing illegal here. He's free to use his billions as he pleases. But if he wins he will have to pay Trump to leave the WH. Otherwise Trump will never leave even if he is defeated in the election.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

8 years is enough compared to democrats letting Bloomberg buy the nomination. If someone can buy it then who is selling it now?

What does this have to do with Trump?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

letting Bloomberg buy the nomination

Same with Trump, so what's the problem?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

blacklabel: You guys act like commutations and pardons are brand new things that Trump created or something. 

Only a tiny fraction of people are going to get pardoned. The question is how this guy is worthy of taking one of the slots. Surely others are more worthy than an openly corrupt politician who once hung out with Trump.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Serrano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGawaIxpvE

I don't click your links after you posted material from that anti-Semite. I ended up watching a couple of the videos and now that scum is part of my browsing history, so thanks for that.

Just a warning to anyone who is thinking about watching one of Serrano's video links.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Don't let the Trumpers here "bait and switch" or maybe bail and switch..this article has nothing to do with Bloomberg...

This is Trump the Imperious acting like a monarch and despot pardoning and commuting sentences for the most disgusting swamp creatures to emerge from the Black Lagoon...

But I do find it amusing that Trumpers here are defending Donnie as he pardons a DEMOCRAT...while screaming that he "lock up" Comey, McCabe, and Mueller - all life-long REPUBS....

You know its a cult when they cheer and holler at that...

7 ( +7 / -0 )

When in the last couple centuries of the planet has there ever been 'free market capitalism'.

USA.

You can't seriously be saying Trump's actually a 'free market capitalist' after his latest proposed federal billion dollar plus bailout for uranium extractors, not after all the subsidies

Nice, but what we were referring to was cradle to grave entitlements for the entire country, which is impossible and would completely crush the economic structure and society as a whole.

(aka welfare/SOCIALISM for the corporations) he continues to provide to his fellow crony 'capitalists', not after he's allowed his family and syndicate to use the White House to pad their bank accounts. not after all the companies he's helped get government contracts, not after all the companies he's criticized when they don't toe the line set by him and his government workers, etc. etc.*

None sense, if that were the case companies like Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo and Google wouldn’t exist, private small businesses that built America would never have made it the superpower it is.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

Don't let the Trumpers here "bait and switch" or maybe bail and switch..this article has nothing to do with Bloomberg...

What about it? He won’t be President and?

This is Trump the Imperious acting like a monarch and despot pardoning and commuting sentences for the most disgusting swamp creatures to emerge from the Black Lagoon...

Hmmm....the Democrats think of themselves as royalty, so much so, if you don’t do as they say or follow their way, we will dispose of you.

But I do find it amusing that Trumpers here are defending Donnie as he pardons a DEMOCRAT...while screaming that he "lock up" Comey, McCabe, and Mueller - all life-long REPUBS....

More like the injustice of these federal Democrat loyalists that will punish anyone they deem as a political threat.

.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

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