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BumRushDaShow

(168,008 posts)
Mon Feb 16, 2026, 06:46 PM Feb 16

A measure giving Congress the power to block Trump pardons draws Republican backing

Source: msn/Axios

7h


A proposed Constitutional amendment that would give Congress the power to block presidential pardons gained its first House Republican co-sponsor on Monday.

Why it matters: It's a rare display of GOP defiance against President Trump, whose pardons have been the subject of bipartisan backlash in several cases.

  • The president began his second term by pardoning thousands of Jan. 6 defendants, including many who were charged with assaulting law enforcement during the 2021 Capitol riot.
  • He has since granted clemency or pardons to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), Ozy Media CEO Carlos Watson, Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and cryptocurrency mogul Changpeng "CZ" Zhao.
  • Most recently, Trump pardoned five former NFL players who were convicted of financial and drug-related crimes.


  • Driving the news: Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), who is leading the amendment, announced Monday that Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) has signed on as the first Republican co-sponsor of the Pardon Integrity Act.

    Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/a-measure-giving-congress-the-power-to-block-trump-pardons-draws-republican-backing/ar-AA1WsJCF



    They need to do something - even like this "starting the process" (which is long and drawn out) because we are seeing the total abuse of that privilege.


    32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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    A measure giving Congress the power to block Trump pardons draws Republican backing (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Feb 16 OP
    bacon is on the way out the door. suddenly he has found a spine lol nt msongs Feb 16 #1
    Nope. Bad idea. Congress should not be involved with Pardons Raven123 Feb 16 #2
    This is to stop Trump using pardon power to hide his own criminality. Doodley Feb 16 #5
    Can't possibly be ratified in time. eggplant Feb 16 #12
    It doesn't matter. His pardons need to be the story here. Doodley Feb 16 #21
    I agree. eggplant Feb 17 #22
    Ultimately We Are Each Called Upon To Defend Our Individual And Mutual Liberty / Freedoms MayReasonRule Feb 17 #31
    I'm Good With Using It For Focal Effect... Ultimately The Amendment Itself Is A Moot Point MayReasonRule Feb 17 #30
    There'll be huge bidding wars for pardons. Only the Ilsa Feb 16 #13
    Good point. Maybe just eliminate the pardon power Raven123 Feb 16 #17
    Here's an idea Bluestocking Feb 16 #3
    "Here's an idea Impeach the fucker" BumRushDaShow Feb 16 #6
    Actually removing him is easier than a constitutional amendment Bluestocking Feb 16 #7
    Not really BumRushDaShow Feb 16 #9
    Trump will pardon Ghislaine Maxwell as payment for her silence. She's already been moved to a resort prison. This is Doodley Feb 16 #4
    A bill can't stop Trump from exercising his Constitutional pardoning power Raven123 Feb 16 #19
    Maybe, but his disgraceful pardons will receive more publicity than they would have. Doodley Feb 16 #20
    how about charging him for taking bribes? mopinko Feb 16 #8
    No president or governor.. Escape Feb 16 #10
    When the President is a convicted felon, 70sEraVet Feb 16 #11
    Best idea would be that people would elect President's and congress people ToxMarz Feb 16 #14
    The Constitution already bans him from office nuxvomica Feb 16 #15
    The SCOTUS knocked down the "Insurrection clause" when it came to him BumRushDaShow Feb 17 #23
    There should be a law until we amend the Constitution. IbogaProject Feb 16 #16
    That would obviate some of the pardons issued by Joe Biden Shrek Feb 17 #25
    It's about fucking time! Pardoning insurrectionists, people who have defrauded clients for millions, anyone who pays him Martin68 Feb 16 #18
    There should have been a pardon override from the beginning. cstanleytech Feb 17 #24
    Why can't Congress call the people rzemanfl Feb 17 #26
    They should also limit them to a total of 5 during a presidential four year term mdbl Feb 17 #27
    I don't see a new Constitutional amendment going anywhere, Bayard Feb 17 #28
    My question. Why try to pass something that will affect other presidents? Jesus Christ TSF is and will be the ONLY one. bluestarone Feb 17 #29
    I am glad to see this. riversedge Feb 17 #32

    Raven123

    (7,725 posts)
    2. Nope. Bad idea. Congress should not be involved with Pardons
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 07:02 PM
    Feb 16

    Yes, we need to limit the pardon power via a Constitutional Amendment, but involving Congress makes no sense to me.

    I heard of one suggestion that Presidents be allotted a specified maximum number of pardons. That would force them to think hard. Also specifically prohibit self pardons.

    eggplant

    (4,166 posts)
    22. I agree.
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 01:43 AM
    Feb 17

    It won't affect this administration, but it will help in the future. He'll still pardon either everyone (like 1/6) or if he's on his way out, might choose to just see them in hell.

    He's gotta go. But it isn't going to stop with him.

    MayReasonRule

    (4,082 posts)
    31. Ultimately We Are Each Called Upon To Defend Our Individual And Mutual Liberty / Freedoms
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 03:27 PM
    Feb 17

    There are many, many more of us than there are Nazis.

    Nazis are still the current minority.

    Here's to mankind as a whole making certain that it stays that way.



    MayReasonRule

    (4,082 posts)
    30. I'm Good With Using It For Focal Effect... Ultimately The Amendment Itself Is A Moot Point
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 03:22 PM
    Feb 17

    The social discussion however is quite useful.

    BumRushDaShow

    (168,008 posts)
    6. "Here's an idea Impeach the fucker"
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 07:37 PM
    Feb 16

    He's been impeached TWICE.

    2019



    2021



    But that only works if you get 2/3rds of the Senate to convict and remove.

    BumRushDaShow

    (168,008 posts)
    9. Not really
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 07:47 PM
    Feb 16

    Both require a 2/3rds majority in Congress - in the Senate, 2/3rds needed for an Impeachment conviction AND in BOTH chambers 2/3rds each for a Constitutional Amendment (unless you go the 3/4s of the state legislatures route for the Amendment).

    Doodley

    (11,827 posts)
    4. Trump will pardon Ghislaine Maxwell as payment for her silence. She's already been moved to a resort prison. This is
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 07:31 PM
    Feb 16

    why this bill is needed. Trump is using pardon power to hide his own corruption.

    Raven123

    (7,725 posts)
    19. A bill can't stop Trump from exercising his Constitutional pardoning power
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 09:35 PM
    Feb 16

    If they propose a resolution, Trump will pardon everyone before they can get it passed by 2/3 majority in both the House and Senate.

    mopinko

    (73,531 posts)
    8. how about charging him for taking bribes?
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 07:45 PM
    Feb 16

    j6ers aside, he’s clearly selling them. clearly bribery.

    Escape

    (431 posts)
    10. No president or governor..
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 07:54 PM
    Feb 16

    should have pardon power, on their own. There should be a very, very specific set of rules and all pardon decisions should have input and final approval by an unbiased board, panel or judge.

    Every pardon ever issued in the past should be reviewed by that same board... with the possibility of it being overturned.

    Trump has destroyed the validity of our pardon system.. It will have to be repaired or replaced.

    It is currently undemocratic and illegal.

    70sEraVet

    (5,403 posts)
    11. When the President is a convicted felon,
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 08:00 PM
    Feb 16

    It seems ridiculous for him to have the power to pardon his criminal associates.
    You may as well grant him complete immunity for his crimes. Oh, we already went there, didn't we?

    ToxMarz

    (2,863 posts)
    14. Best idea would be that people would elect President's and congress people
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 08:53 PM
    Feb 16

    with honor and integrity. People who uphold the Constitution, and strive to make a nation of, by and for the people. With liberty and justice for. But clearly that ain't fucking happening either.

    nuxvomica

    (14,004 posts)
    15. The Constitution already bans him from office
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 09:01 PM
    Feb 16

    So why would we think changing the Constitution is a solution?

    BumRushDaShow

    (168,008 posts)
    23. The SCOTUS knocked down the "Insurrection clause" when it came to him
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 05:27 AM
    Feb 17
    Supreme Court rules states cannot remove Trump from ballot for insurrection

    And the muddied waters for the Constitution is whether the "2 terms" reference only means "consecutive" (which is an argument the loons want to push).

    Any loophole that can be attempted for use, needs to be closed.

    IbogaProject

    (5,756 posts)
    16. There should be a law until we amend the Constitution.
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 09:03 PM
    Feb 16

    The law should make it illegal for the President to pardon anyone he personally knows and make it a violation of the emoluments clause for anyone connected to him along with himself to take anything of value in relation to a pardon. I know this is a long shot, but there needs to be limits on how he has used his power in this instance.

    Shrek

    (4,410 posts)
    25. That would obviate some of the pardons issued by Joe Biden
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 07:26 AM
    Feb 17

    You don't want the tie the hands of a future Democrat to check the abuses of a Republican president.

    Martin68

    (27,451 posts)
    18. It's about fucking time! Pardoning insurrectionists, people who have defrauded clients for millions, anyone who pays him
    Mon Feb 16, 2026, 09:16 PM
    Feb 16

    enough money. Will Republicans draw a line?

    cstanleytech

    (28,359 posts)
    24. There should have been a pardon override from the beginning.
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 07:07 AM
    Feb 17

    Plus pardons should expire if a person is convicted of a major felony like armed robbery for example.

    rzemanfl

    (31,294 posts)
    26. Why can't Congress call the people
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 07:50 AM
    Feb 17

    who got pardons, grant themlimited immunity, and ask them how much they paid for them?

    mdbl

    (8,433 posts)
    27. They should also limit them to a total of 5 during a presidential four year term
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 11:45 AM
    Feb 17

    That will make them think about who should really get one instead of a crook like Dump just pardoning all the crooks willing to pay him off.

    bluestarone

    (21,896 posts)
    29. My question. Why try to pass something that will affect other presidents? Jesus Christ TSF is and will be the ONLY one.
    Tue Feb 17, 2026, 01:06 PM
    Feb 17

    We already have a means to get rid of this BASTARD!! Just gotta FUCKING DO IT!!

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