So if Manafort and Gates plead guilty, doesn't that make them eligible for pardon?

[Atman]

Seems like it could be a strategic move with these low-life weasels. If you're goin' down anyway, plead out, then wait for Red Don to hand out the pardons. Just sayin'.

[Historic NY]

1. So far it appears if they do, the NY AG is ready to step in..

with state charges.

[njhoneybadger]

10. Mueller is covering all the bases. Schneiderman is ready to step up if needed

tRumps hacks are no match for Mueller and his team.

[Sancho]

12. this...

plea guilty to a single federal charge, or face decades of possible prison time under state laws...that tRump can't touch.

and they probably don't really know what state attorney is waiting in the wings.

[NightWatcher]

2. If trump is going to pardon Manafort, he'll do it soon.

Sure, it won't matter because there will be state charges, but if trump is going to act he'll do it before Manafort flips and talks.

[Fullduplexxx]

3. Yea the pardons must be a comin'

[njhoneybadger]

4. I don't really care as long as he gets the information he needs to bring down tRump

tRump is a threat to the WORLD

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. Doesn't matter what they plead, Trump can pardon them

Even if found guilty by a jury.

I hadn't heard that Manafort was pleading guilty, only Gates.

[emulatorloo]

6. All indications are that Gates has flipped aka is cooperating with Mueller

Manafort apparently still thinks he is smarter than Mueller.

It would be a very bad look for Trump to pardon Manafort, as Trump has been saying Manafort barely worked for him. Pardoning Manafort would make Trump look even guiltier.

[Lee-Lee]

7. He can pardon if they plead guilty, or are found guilty, or even if they are not charged at all

The power to pardon is very broad and with very few limits.

[emulatorloo]

8. Except Trump cant pardon them for state charges, only federal ones.

Apparently States attorney generals are waiting in the wings for sleazebag Manafort.

[mercuryblues]

9. hmm.

With Manafort's connection to the Ukraine, I bet they would love to have him extradited for questioning. Mueller could make that happen, if he was so inclined. Ukraine seems to be going after their stolen money,

https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/justice-ministry-investigation-nets-unexpected-567000-windfall-state-budget.html

[njhoneybadger]

13. I think at this point Manafort's life is in peril

Dead men tell no tales

[procon]

11. It also is an admission of guilt.

Under the Fifth Amendment, people are protected against self-incrimination, but in accepting a pardon and admitting to guilt, they are no longer under any legal jeopardy and can be compelled to testify about everything.

If Mueller shows that Trump issued pardons to avoid his own personal jeopardy in the Russia investigation, then that is a crime of obstruction of justice.

Also, Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes so Mueller is tag teaming with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman just in case Trump starts handing out pardons.

[marylandblue]

14. If Trump were inclined to pardon people

He would have pardoned Papadapoulos Gates and Flynn immediately. At this point, they have told Mueller everything they know. Pardoning them would signal everyone else not to cut deals. But by saying these people weren't important, be is pushing them into Mueller's arms.