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NewJeffCT

(56,848 posts)

58. It's a classic authoritarian move

Thu Feb 20, 2020, 11:07 AM

Feb 2020

He's creating a cadre of corrupt people around him that will owe him a favor in return for the pardon. They will also be expected to be loyal to Donny Dollhands as well.

see this explanation from Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Link to tweet

?s=20

text of her tweet:

Authoritarian leaders love to issue pardons and amnesties (Mussolini 1925, Pinochet 1978, Trump 2017-) because it ties pardoned people to them, frees up more criminals to serve them, and sends the message that lawlessness is valued.

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Why does it feel like Trump is on the verge of fleeing the country? [View all] jmowreader Feb 2020 OP

It is a power trip, he is unhinged after being let off the hook by the Senate. redstatebluegirl Feb 2020 #1

And he's rubbing our noses in it. Arkansas Granny Feb 2020 #17

Yep what you said 💯 live love laugh Feb 2020 #21

Yep. At this stage if you happen to see him on 5th Avenue, ooky Feb 2020 #36

He'd just shoot you in the back. Volaris Feb 2020 #37

I wish. The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2020 #2

No way in hell. cwydro Feb 2020 #3

Yap, just look at the real-estate he owns at140 Feb 2020 #27

Not sure what you mean. cwydro Feb 2020 #40

I have played golf for 60 years..it is my exercise to maintain my health at140 Feb 2020 #45

That's nice. cwydro Feb 2020 #47

He could leave the country if.. at140 Feb 2020 #50

I think you misspelled "skanky" Nature Man Feb 2020 #48

Yeah, way too much gold motif :) at140 Feb 2020 #49

....or maybe "stanky" Tanuki Feb 2020 #54

If you think snowybirdie Feb 2020 #55

I was thinking more of at140 Feb 2020 #63

Wishful thinking? LakeArenal Feb 2020 #4

He's not going anywhere. He believes, and at this point in time, he is untouchable. Floyd R. Turbo Feb 2020 #5

I wish he would bdamomma Feb 2020 #9

What have you got against Floyd R. Turbo Feb 2020 #14

Hopefully he'll think he's too big for Putin lame54 Feb 2020 #11

Exactly. cwydro Feb 2020 #41

Its certainly possible but fleeing to Russia sdfernando Feb 2020 #6

He's doing it to screw over anyone who 2naSalit Feb 2020 #7

I don't think he will resign. Caliman73 Feb 2020 #8

He's assembling his campaign team lame54 Feb 2020 #10

He's a MONTSTER unchained and bluestarone Feb 2020 #12

Yup, catching a resign vibe from the pardons for sure. Blues Heron Feb 2020 #13

the presidency is a new level of high for that sick f**k narcissist. Thomas Hurt Feb 2020 #15

I'm hoping his face leftieNanner Feb 2020 #26

From what I've heard, the Post Office did test a Trump stamp jmowreader Feb 2020 #43

+ 1000 MFGsunny Feb 2020 #52

He's issuing pardons ... NanceGreggs Feb 2020 #16

Where did you get the idea that presidents don't issue as many pardons as Trump? onenote Feb 2020 #18

There's a big difference PSPS Feb 2020 #22

Kind of a non-sequitur. onenote Feb 2020 #38

That is why the U.S. Military has Drones.... Dan Feb 2020 #19

I love it as a fantasy Lulu KC Feb 2020 #20

If only! smirkymonkey Feb 2020 #23

"Presidents don't issue as many pardons" Ferrets are Cool Feb 2020 #24

Actually, they do. onenote Feb 2020 #34

Good facts. Thank you JDC Feb 2020 #44

I would love for that to happen. lpbk2713 Feb 2020 #25

I've been saying that since he's been acquitted he's going full asshole. Initech Feb 2020 #28

tRump is having the time of his life at140 Feb 2020 #29

Nah, he is just showing his ass. And it's an ample one. dameatball Feb 2020 #30

He doesn't have to. . . . BigDemVoter Feb 2020 #31

This group of pardons are all to prep the way lapfog_1 Feb 2020 #32

He is nuts, but sorry this is wishful thinking Hekate Feb 2020 #33

The GOP, and I'm sure they don't care, own this. If they dont realize he needs to be stopped now CentralMass Feb 2020 #35

Works for me. we can do it Feb 2020 #39

we should be so lucky 0rganism Feb 2020 #42

"Fleecing" is spelled with a "c" lastlib Feb 2020 #46

When he does, I bet he takes Air Force 1 with him and gives it to Putin. LiberalArkie Feb 2020 #51

I will buy him an Uber flight to help. mfcorey1 Feb 2020 #53

Because it's comforting and bolsters hope for a return to a functioning democratic state. bluedigger Feb 2020 #56

It is a long time fantasy sarisataka Feb 2020 #57

It's a classic authoritarian move NewJeffCT Feb 2020 #58

I don't think that will happen, it makes too much sense for the country. lark Feb 2020 #59

It doesn't feel that way to me. Jamastiene Feb 2020 #60

Those are "fuck you, libs" pardons. And for now, 45 is the freest man in America. VOX Feb 2020 #61

He feels emboldened nobuddy Feb 2020 #62