Friday on CNN’s “At This Hour,” Rep. Dennis Heck (D-WA) said if President Donald Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn that would be “the beginning of the unraveling of his presidency.”
Heck said, “If President Trump pardons Mike Flynn or any of the other people involved in this, I confidently predict it will be the beginning of the unraveling of his presidency…just as when President Nixon engaged in what we now know as the Saturday Night Massacre 40 some years ago.”
He added, “But, the other thing I think is important to remind everybody, Kate, is it won’t matter. The fact is that the president can pardon these people for violations of federal crimes but cannot pardon them for violations of state crimes. One of the most interesting passages in the plea bargain deal that General Flynn entered into was a binding agreement that he also cooperates with state and local authorities as appropriate. So, if he thinks he’s going to give them a ‘get out of jail free’ card, he’s flat wrong. Once again, this president—who seems frankly, on so many occasions not to embrace the basic and fundamental American precept of the rule of law—he just doesn’t get it.”
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