Seeing a lot of nonsense on Facebook about impeachment.... [View all]
(I know, it's Facebook--bear with me.....)
People are citing an article by Robert Reich that says tRump can't be pardoned now that he's been impeached. While I tremendously respect Robert Reich, this notion is wrong.
Article II, Sec. 2 of the Constitution gives the president the power to pardon offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. What this means is that an impeachment/conviction can NOT be erased by a presidential pardon. This is EXCLUSIVELY the province of Congress, with respect to "high crimes and misdemeanors". Essentially, the impeachment case and the criminal case are two separate things. An "impeachee" may still face criminal charges for the same acts for which he was impeached and removed, and may be pardoned by the president, thus removing the criminal penalties.
I just don't want this erroneous perception propagated.
= new reply since forum marked as read