Trump says he has the right to pardon himself

The president tweeted this morning that while he doesn't have any plans to pardon himself, he could if he wanted to. That prompted a strong response from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. CBS News Washington correspondent Paula Reid reports.

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[hectorabcdefg]

fidel Castro pardoned himself a million times. This criminal is no different

[izzimichaels]

trump also says hes allowed to sexually assault women. what this fool says is usually far removed from reality.

[d.h.c.]

Can a person pardon themselves? This has never been tested in court as we have never had a President or Governor stupid enough to try. The way the laws are written it would appear the answer is no. But again, the court must weigh in on this for a definitive answer.

[RDXWidowMaker]

He never said this.  Giuliana was asked a ridiculous question and relentlessly pressed for a hypothetical answer by an asinine reporter.

[danielsteel]

The question is obviously, *obviously incoherent* (i.e., Can a judge hear his own case? Can he sentence himself? Can a sheriff arrest himself? Can he free himself from his own county jail? Can a woman give birth to herself? Even the Pope cannot absolve himself; he'd need a confessor, hypothetically.)

To be removed from Office, the President has to be charged with a crime by the House, and Articles must be filed. If impeached (i.e., officially charged with having committed a crime, thereby violating his Oath) by the House, then he must be tried by the Senate. Once impeached and convicted, _if_ impeached and convicted, the President would *no longer retain* his Executive powers, and therefore couldn't pardon anyone at all. The question 'could he pardon himself' isn't even a meaningful question. He'd have to be convicted first, which would nullify his presidential powers.

The appropriate question is whether a newly sworn-in _Pence_ would pardon Trump. (It's plausible that he would.)

[MrZxmike]

so he is above the law, wow the police dept. shoots people that think this way. just a example, that would be a shame....