Can A President Pardon Himself?

[@bluntmang13ify]

Innocent people don't need pardons.

[@diegosilerio4554]

Miguel Iturbe unless they are hiding something

[@arturoarroway2508]

I get what you are saying here, about this particular case and all, but that is kinda the point of the presidential pardon. our justice system is not perfect and sometimes innocent people are convicted of crimes they didn't commit.

[@jayfolk]

wrongly convicted ones though

[@shadow3675]

Arturo Arroway how many actual innocent people act this guilty?!

[@UncleMatt69]

Well that leaves Trump out and no, read the Constitution and previous precedent, Trump cannot pardon himself.

[@darthleia250]

Omg pardoning requires an admission of guilt...the idiocy hurts...smh

[@robertpatton172]

Darth Leia 1. A President can issue a blank pardon... 2. Stating that EVEN if he did collude he could pardon himself isn’t an admission of guilt, it’s stating the obvious. If he actually did commit a crime he would have pardoned himself and made this go away already.

[@AM.000]

Robert Patton, Trump&co has been working up to a self pardon... Though a few types of propaganda called: repetition, staying on message, whataboutisms, ad nauseum, toxic cynicism, false dilemma, cult of personality, information overload, flag-waving, demoralization, demonizing the 'enemy', disinformation, intentional vagueness, gaslighting, the narcissist's prayer, minimization, exaggeration, scapegoating, stereotyping/namecalling, conspiracy theories, Citations to experts often false and even more often out of context... You yourself are utilizing a propaganaga technique, or logical fallacy of: non sequitur. Your 'if something were true, it would have been done already" statement. That is non sequitur. The suggestion that a "few scholars" believe there might be some way a president can pardon himself, doesn't mean a president can actually pardon himself. Trump is trying to convince the American people through propaganaga slowly to work them up to the idea he might pardon himself to prevent what would occur if he did (revolution 2.0?). He couldn't have done it in the past or even today, without an uproar from the populus. He is working up to making it okay to pardon himself, when it was an absolute no for all other past presidents.

[@brucesweatman2146]

Because of a thing called the CONSTITUTION? IN IT THERE ARE NO PROVISIONS TO GIVE A PRESIDENT THE POWER TO PARDON ANYONE. IT'S BULLSHIT NO PRESIDENT HAS ANY POWERS TO PARDON ANYONE/? IT'S NOT IN OR HAS BEEN AMENDED TO SAID CONSTITUTION? IS THERE NO SUCH THING? OR POWER IN IT, FOR ANY PRESIDENT AT ALL? JUST MORE FUCKING LYING BULLSHIT! THERE ARE NONE OF THESE SPECIAL POWERS FOR A PRESIDENT IN THE CONSTITUTION. THESE FUCKERS...JUST MADE THIS SHIT UP? TIME TO END THESE LYING FUCKERS!! THERE ARE NO EXECUTIVE PRVGILES FOR A PRESIDENT IN THE CONSTITUTION!?!

[@kiany2k]

“Can A President Pardon Himself?” Yes, it's called being a dictator.

[@johannpopper1493]

No. Dictators cannot be impeached. Pardoning is a separate legal concept.

[@MisterCatMan]

ignorant fool

[@johnd2058]

"I am the state." - Napoleon I

[@Greendalewitch]

@@johnd2058 Are you really comparing Trump to Napoleon?

[@johnd2058]

@@Greendalewitch I had the circularity of it in mind. If I *had* to compare our narcissist-in-chief to _a_ Napoleon, it'd have to be Napoleon III, who I consider "The Leroy Jenkins of the Nineteenth Century." For a neighborly British summary of his career, see www.britannica.com/biography/Napoleon-III-emperor-of-France .

[@Klonzo33]

Trump once said that innocent people don’t plead the 5th, and now it’s all pardons, lawyers, and NDA’s.

[@Gottenhimfella]

It's hard to find anything Trump has flagellated others for which he has not himself done. And as you point out, it started well before he was elected. Remember him saying "We don't want someone as president if they're being investigated by the FBI?" Or accusing Clinton of using an unsecured mobile? And the weirdest thing of all: the very things that his supporters profess to HATE Obama and Clinton for, are the very same things that they defend Trump for, by pointing out (usually incorrectly) that "they did them too"

[@gamesgames354]

Gottenhimfella exactly. Thank you

[@ylass8884]

Trump's "legal Scholars" probably graduated from Trump University

[@happiedasie878]

I was waiting for someone to reference that exactly. Did he ever pay the 25 million fine?

[@Gottenhimfella]

I doubt it, ylass. They would for sure have flunked the bit where you have to put your name at the top of the front page, at the very least. Hard to issue a fake diploma to "an unidentified student", but I suppose if anybody could, Trump U could.

[@bin1127]

Could be. Scholar doesn't necessarily mean licensed Lawyer.

[@kimfucku8074]

or Betty DeVos Highschool for the Stupid and Challenged

[@yarkieee]

Giuliani graduated from NYU Law

[@GR46404]

If Obama or Bill Clinton had made claims like those Trump is now making, the Right would have screamed until the whole country went deaf And Trump would have been one of the loudest screamers.

[@UTU49]

This is what is so maddening about this "president". I almost want to see a terrible Democrat president in the future, just to see how upset the conservatives get.

[@synthiandrakon]

UTU49 like I don't get how republicans can defend him. Like there are lot of people who defend him because he's not a democrat. But Donald trump is bad at being a republican he stands against a lot of republican views. I don't know why it's so hard to be right wing and hate trump

[@UTU49]

"I don't know why it's so hard to be right wing and hate trump" I think "supporting conservative ideals" is not as important to them as "blaming liberals for everything". They see everything as a contest, and the end justifies the means. That's part of it anyway. Also, I think maybe they're just bumholes.

[@GR46404]

The people who support Trump listen only to stuff like Fox News. They always hear how great and right he is, and how everything bad about him is lies by liberals, and besides, what about Hilary's emails? And what about a whole bunch of lies about Obama they just made up? That's how they can support Trump - by believing the lies they are spoon fed.

[@JonathanZeidman]

+elliott collom the republicans don't have a shred of integrity, decency or honesty anymore. they are the party of selfish assholes and self-deceivers. they now stand for nothing but the bullshit of the moment that serves their interests, and they attract only the sleaziest or stupidest. wasn't always that way, but they have made that their play. there is literally nothing they won't do. don't make the mistake of assuming they will come around and start to show some sign of having principles. that is a dangerous mistake. they aren't going to admit any mistakes, and that means there is no turning back for them.

[@Real-housewives-Wakanda]

I like presidents that don’t tweet about pardoning themselves.

[@genivaldodugan6682]

I like when presidents uphold and defend the constitution, not serve their own interests.....

[@lindyfrank5342]

Well that wouldn't be CHEESUS.

[@BlackEpyon]

I'm sure Hitler could have pardoned himself too... For all the good it did him. Trump is acting awfully guilty for an innocent man.

[@ktheshow4391]

BlackEpyon He's acting awfully guilty for a guilty man to.

[@edwardscape8839]

jay folk - Isn't America at war with several countries..oh wait we haven't issued a formal declaration since WWII never mind forget I said anything. ; )

[@statisticallysound]

Actually Hitler wouldn't have had to pardon himself, he never broke a German law in order to become the leader of the Third Reich. He did it expertly within the system so as to avoid premature opposition from other countries. How scary/wild is that?

[@bigbaddwolff]

for a man who claims he's innocent.

[@i.i.iiii.i.i]

Conner Veit Hitler broke the law by imprisoning opposition and letting his SA on the streets that "physically suppressed" anyone on the streets ;)

[@southerntexas5432]

Trump and his family have stepped on the constitution and will CONTINUE IF WE DON'T VOTE. WE NEED BALANCE OF POWER!

[@johannpopper1493]

We have a balance. It's called the Legislature's right to impeach. That is the law. A faction obstructing the preeminent elected agent of the People is illegal because it's treason.

[@mikeboy0001]

In no other democratic country can a president pardon himself of a crime😵 This is disgracefully stupid America

[@pumpkinthecatsaysfuckronaldrea]

He can't. His dumb ass just thinks he can

[@KryssLaBryn]

Hell, Nixon even asked the Justice Department if he could, back when, and they told him no, because no one can be the judge in their own case. I mean, come the fuck on. (Incidentally, he resigned three days after that. But Nixon was a lot smarter than Trump, who will have to be dragged out kicking and screaming.)

[@alexmansfield3268]

Except this isn’t an American law trump just thinks he can pardon himself even though the law states a president cannot pardon himself. Please don’t be an idiot

[@martinadelaide3385]

I reckon they could in a few African republics.

[@mikeboy0001]

You can argue all you want The mere fact that it's a possibility, and a court and judge would have to decide on an ambiguous law, makes it incredibly stupid😶

[@machkeznho8692]

We needed the morning after pill for Trumps Presidency. Shame it went to full term.

[@nuckinfuts7610]

Lmao for fuckin real.

[@chappy7962]

Cyanide

[@ktheshow4391]

Machkezhno I'm still not fully convinced that him and his 'family' aren't aborted toilet potatoes.

[@louisechacon9836]

Boy, did you nail that one on the Cheeto head.

[@tvdeth]

YEAAAAAAAAAAH!

[@tealmacfarlane]

"One man Purge" is a very apt description for what's happening with Trump.

[@TheGojodfrey]

Teal MacFarlane hardly, he brought in a whole bunch that have plea bargained their guilt, or are currently in the process off being investigated. DT threw some of them under the bus, but most have done it out a sense of superiority and being above the law, Trump just verbalised it.

[@evilovesperry]

you look like you're ready to purge...

[@tealmacfarlane]

Enlightened Perry It's not very nice to judge someone by their outward appearance.

[@TheGojodfrey]

Teal MacFarlane it is in the Trumposphere it seems

[@evilovesperry]

Teal MacFarlane Miss clown you can purge me any time you want.👉👌

[@MCNarret]

Cause having a single indisputable leader who is above the law is definitely what the founding fathers were thinking when the wrote the constitution after breaking free from a government that "totally wasn't" that exact or nearly exact thing.

[@titanoflight2930]

See as a Christian I think that baker is full of BS cause if your gonna use believes then by definition you’d also deny business to adulterers ( which would be pretty much every one) and also drunks so to me this is just hypocrisy...

[@johannpopper1493]

Good point, but irrelevant. Because the 1st amendment means we don't pull that kind of inquisitorial crap anymore. It's not up to the government to scrutinize our choices.

[@titanoflight2930]

I imagine you would probs assume im trolling so i don't really hold it against you.

[@titanoflight2930]

James Schrader 😂😂😂😂

[@robbiewiliams1974]

James Schrader I do believe you mean to use the contraction “you’re” as in you are, and not your, as in something held/owned by another person. Cheers!

[@gabyp8788]

The baker didn't deny business to the gay couple, he was happy to sell them anything they wanted in the bakery except the wedding cake, he offered them to buy birthday cakes or others if they wished, not the wedding one because then he would be actively participating in helping them getting married, which is against his beliefs. If you compare that with adulterers and drunks, he'd only be an hypocrite if an adulturer came in the store and told him he wanted a cake to help him get a mistress or a drunk told him he wanted a cake to help him get drunk, and he decide to do business with them anyway. I'd be the first person to be against it if he denied to sell them anything because they were gay, but he just didn't want to help comit what he considers a sin, which is silly to me because people are born gay so obviously God made them that way so it can't be a sin, but the church hasn't figured it out yet. But in this particular case if you want to compare with something, it's the same thing that a black guy taking a blacksmith to court complaining of racism because he refused to make him a gun, when the blacksmith would happily make anything to him except a gun because his religious beliefs condemn murder. If you ask me, honestly the baker should take the gay couple to court for trying to deny him his freedom of religion by trying to force him to do something that goes against his religion, or do you forget that freedom of religion is also a right.

[@fernandolopez4363]

I want to run for king one day !!!!! Oh I mean president..

[@GuusJanssen]

Fernando Lopez Kings can't pardon themselves. Dictators can.

[@samara1815]

@@GuusJanssen you know a king IS a dictator right?

[@GuusJanssen]

@@samara1815 You obviously have no idea how a monarchy functions. Modern day Kings have no power at all. Zero. They have no influence in any governmental decision making, and no rights or vetos of any kind. They can not create laws or appoint ministers, and are not above the law. Trust me, I have lived in a monarchy for all my life. Or just google it.

[@samara1815]

@@GuusJanssen they arent talking about modern monarchies like Britain, our democracy was designed to prevent monarchies like the one they had just escaped during the time period in which the king was in fact a dictator and had absolute power. I am fully aware of how modern monarchies function, that wasnt the point.

[@briangarrow448]

Doesn't a pardon mean that you MUST HAVE committed a crime in the first place?????

[@cornishmaid5073]

Brian Garrow, yes

[@randygeroux9263]

Brian Garrow it's an admission of guilt if you except.

[@telectronix1368]

Yes. Well specifically it is stating that you did commit the crime or crimes.

[@michaelkraxner1420]

one should think so, but: legally not necessarily - the president has the power to give "blank" pardons, the recieving person does not have to admit anything, and is protected from prosecution and if that sounds horrible, you can be sure there would still be ppl defending him: but hillary, but obama... would have done worse!

[@telectronix1368]

Michael Kraxner - That is not the case. Pardonning someone isn't "dropping all charges" or wiping someone's record etc It is a public admission of guilt and, naturally, that those crimes and events really DID happen and that he/she really was involved. They also cannot plead the 5th in any subsequent trials since by definition they can't be charged for those specific crimes again, so the 'freedom from self-incrimination' doesn't apply, nor can they refuse to testify. Accepting a pardon is an admission of guilt and the record of those crimes then still exists.

[@valfrancis5692]

I like president who doesn't need pardon

[@moyadapne968]

I see what you did there.

[@everycoLor_312]

"Pardon me, for I have shit on the world and stained the USA in the process."

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

amy & Yea the Lord God said unto him "Not gonna happen! Sorry but there's some shit even *I* won't forgive!"

[@NDRonin1401]

More like shitting on the US and staining the rest of the world with foreign visits ... But funny!

[@Nolanthegardener]

7:26 Don't terrorist also have "sincere religious beliefs," but we uphold laws before belief right?

[@jwoolman3425]

Nolan Friedline - Yes. The whole Bill of Rights is basically designed to protect the minority against the majority. Laws against discrimination evolve to protect groups in the selected categories in response to real discrimination events that affect their lives. In my childhood, it was routine for blacks to be refused house sales and rentals by whites. I actually met a local doctor (very successful physician, plenty of money) who was black and had been fighting this situation for years. It was A Big Deal when he managed to buy a house in a “white neighborhood”. Whites who knowingly sold to blacks were called traitors. Laws were eventually passed prohibiting such discrimination based on race. Some people were screaming about that the same way some are screaming now about being “forced” to bake wedding cakes for gays. People found ways around the law or at least ways to make it harder to detect discrimination. Donald Trump and his father had managers in their apartment buildings mark applications with C to indicate the applicant was “colored”, so the application could be rejected by the central office on other grounds. Managers also would just say no apartments were available. This was done for a couple testing the situation for the Urban League - first a well-dressed, flush enough with money black couple entered the office in a Trump property and asked to see any available apartments. They were told there were none available. Ten minutes later, an equivalent white couple came in and asked to see available apartments. Magically, they were taken to see two available units. This discrimination based on race was illegal by then and so the Trumps were taken to court.

[@markfoster1520]

Ouch I just OKed one ...& then the other side of the coin! Thank God for America!

[@johannpopper1493]

Our law IS that religious practice is a right as long as it doesn't violate another more fundamental right, such as the right to live and not be murdered, sacrificed, robbed, etc. The civil right to buy a goddamn cake is obviously not more fundamental than those articulated in the Bill of Rights. There are many ways to protect such civil rights while respecting the freedom of bakers, such as subsidizing competing bakers in the community who aren't assholes. Scrutinizing why a business owner makes any choice in life is medieval inquisitorial bullshit. Expecting a service provider to serve you irrespective of their will is literally the definition of slavery for fucks sake! I love you, brother. Peace and long life.

[@Viper3220]

We need to take a serious look at presidential powers

[@tonymontana-wd9hv]

Viper322 well said

[@genivaldodugan6682]

No...we need to take a look at the constitution and see who is doing what to defend or destroy it...and not with revisionist eyes, but read it the way it was originally written

[@randommay3573]

Viper3220 no we don't we know what they can do the only one that doesn't is the dumbfuck president and any asshole that takes his shit seriously how stupid are people really

[@randommay3573]

Caleb Walsh so hes still just some asshole could have been anyone there were ones before him and there'll be a few after him hes just some guy how do so many people not realize this not like just because you become president you is magically goes up to 500 or that you see the future or something hes the same dumb bitch he was 6 years ago what the fuck is wrong with people

[@randommay3573]

Caleb Walsh 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@chikasnotmadjustdisappoint6266]

Trump: "Rudy told me that I could pardon myself." Pence: "I don't think that's a good idea." Kelly: "Pence is right, if you do that, it will make you look like a dictator...Donald please wipe that smile off your face..."

[@LazyIRanch]

Spanky is so scared!

[@bernardoheusi6146]

Crooked Trump Lock him up!

[@macforme]

And I hope tolerant, open-minded citizens of Colorado will also exercise their right * to NOT support * a holier-than- thou bigot Jack Phillips of the Masterpiece Cakeshop, in Lakewood, CO.

[@DembaiVT]

He should be registered as a religious organization and should also refuse to do all events but radical right wing Christian weddings. Otherwise he's just a bigot. If he's fine making cakes for atheists or Jewish folks or satanists...but not gay couples he's a fucking hypocrite. And he would make cakes for all of them. Because he would have no idea what they were for. And that's 100% my issue with people like you and him. Your faith is a matter of whatever bigoted things you can get away with and pearl clutching and whimpering when anyone points out your high level of hypocracy. You aren't being persecuted. You are the majority. And you abuse it because your preachers ha e convinced you that you're under attack. You know what Jesus said about that? Love those who persecute you. Not 'refuse to bake them cakes and look like a compete.jackass resulting in more and more people finding the church to be an abhorant group of assholes who use their influence over society to persecute others'. The devil is a big fan of you evangelicals. You're the ones who are driving the biggest wedge between Jesus and the masses by simply being the most intolerant jerks in the world. Here's a litmus test for you. If a middle Eastern homeless guy and his friends arrived at your church including criminals and prostitutes...would you invite them in? Or would you realise I just described your lord and Savior? Hypocrites.

[@BeeWhistler]

No one person is a majority. You can be a member of the most privileged group around and still be pounded just because of the color of your skin and it counts as persecution. No one asks whether the person is otherwise good, otherwise willing to bake a cake for any event you suggest, but is uneasy with this one thing. Because I would suggest that a right thinking person doesn't believe in a double standard, and would no more expect a Muslim woman to toss off her hijab or a Jewish deli to serve non-kosher meats than they would expect a devout Christian to dismiss what they believe because others can't go down the street to the next bakery. Let's face it, making this kind of a stink about a cake isn't about someone being unable to get a wedding cake. It's to make an example of someone by making them look petty for refusing to bake the thing. Which means it's just as petty to sue over it. If you try hard enough to be offended, you'll always find a way to succeed.

[@badlydrawnturtle8484]

They have that right. And so does he. And that's how it should be; where everyone has their own rights of expression, and nobody is FORCED to do anything they don't want to do.

[@briganja]

Lillian Williams I completely disagree with your stance that the baker and the Christian fundamentalists he represents are somehow the victim here. What Jack Phillips did to me represents a violation of the Civil Rights Act, and a continuation of the trend towards dismantling civil rights protections for the LGBTQ community in the last two years. Jack Phillips only has freedoms insofar as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of other free Americans. What you are suggesting is akin to places of business having the right to refuse service to people of color in the Jim Crowe segregated south. Also there are plenty of christians who embrace the 'love thy neighbor' part of Jesus's teachings, and don't feel the need to discriminate and dehumanize their fellow community members. just fyi.

[@badlydrawnturtle8484]

Briana Peterson “Jack Phillips only has freedoms insofar as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of other free Americans.” You're ignoring that this necessarily works the other way as well: Other free Americans only have freedoms insofar as they do not infringe on the freedoms of Jack Phillips. He wanted the freedom to not bake a specific cake. The only alternative is to FORCE him to bake a cake that he doesn't want to bake. What freedom is this up against? The ‘freedom’ to force him to bake a cake that he doesn't want to bake.

[@Jan96106]

Matthew: 5:44: "I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, but If I catch you frosting a gay cake, you go to hell." So funny. Absolutely love your irony, Stephen Colbert. You are a good man.

[@shamspuri2493]

I really enjoy Stephen mimicking the President's voice when reading out those belligerent tweets. Really effective!

[@lukesmale24]

Oh god welcome back! With all the crap coming out lately I needed this for my sanity

[@JC-ev2ns]

If the president pardons himself for a crime does that almost automatically lead to impeachment hearings? Pardoning yourself is a clear admission of guilt and should be enough grounds to impeach

[@LividImp]

It does not. Impeachment is solely triggered by the House's vote. So as long as the dishonest fucks remain in office there will be no impeachment.

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

Livid Imp & this is *why* we *need* a Blue Wave in November to flush this supersized chedder faced turd back into the sewers from which he came!

[@badlydrawnturtle8484]

+Amethyst And how do you expect such a ‘Blue Wave’ to get a supermajority in the Senate, which is needed for a successful impeachment and would require the Democrats to win more seats than are even up for election?

[@bjsmith6095]

J C Not if the Repulicans are in charge.

[@bjsmith6095]

Amethyst Then be registered to vote and vote because all the talk in the world will not get the job done.

[@DuranmanX]

First the electoral college, now pardoning himself the Constitution did not prepare us for this

[@brucesweatman2146]

oh, yes it did! Because of a thing called the CONSTITUTION? IN IT THERE ARE NO PROVISIONS TO GIVE A PRESIDENT THE POWER TO PARDON ANYONE. IT'S BULLSHIT NO PRESIDENT HAS ANY POWERS TO PARDON ANYONE/? IT'S NOT IN OR HAS BEEN AMENDED TO SAID CONSTITUTION? IS THERE NO SUCH THING? OR POWER IN IT, FOR ANY PRESIDENT AT ALL? JUST MORE FUCKING LYING BULLSHIT! THERE ARE NONE OF THESE SPECIAL POWERS FOR A PRESIDENT IN THE CONSTITUTION. THESE FUCKERS...JUST MADE THIS SHIT UP? TIME TO END THESE LYING FUCKERS!! THERE ARE NO EXECUTIVE PRVGILES FOR A PRESIDENT IN THE CONSTITUTION!?!

[@wdcart.co.8206]

Felt like forever since Colbert posted anything, so happy to see this. So excited

[@boathousejoed9005]

I still can't believe that "shot James...."comment.If these criminals aren't already under 24 hr. surveillance they should be.That can only be taken as a threat.

[@titansedge6205]

Hallejuia! Stephen's back!

[@floyddillonh]

When did he go away? Sorry, I can't keep up 'cause my data sucks.

[@titansedge6205]

There was a week of no new Stephen Colbert episodes for a while, other than the daily shorts left to fill in the gaps.

[@floyddillonh]

Oh, okay. I thought you may have meamt he had lost his edge, and I might have gotten upset. So, my bad.

[@Woodbug-b7t]

William Tran....Same thing happened at the same time with the Daily Show. Comedians Convention?

[@titansedge6205]

Who knows?

[@juliaconnell]

been waiting for Colbert's response to Trump's "I have the absolute right to PARDON myself" tweet - and Stephen did not disappoint

[@menotme6523]

Stephen, please DO NOT leave us hanging again like this!!! Welcome back, I missed you.

[@AlwaysANemesis]

What I am genuinely curious of is why he's being so evasive; if the investigation _is_ a complete farce, then he has nothing to lose with cooperating with them. It's a well-known pattern that people who are this defensive in the face of investigative sources tends to be afraid that they'll find something the person doesn't want anyone to know. So it'd probably help his case if he worked with them instead of against them; I mean, if he has nothing to worry about, and they can't convict him, then why make a fuss? Also, that James Comey comparison is _frighteningly_ specific.

[@hobibats2000]

Stephen pls dont go for vacation my family need this for our sanity

[@Soymaid]

NEVER LEAVE US AGAIN STEPHEN

[@cacholaish]

I would find this funny if it weren't so scary.

[@boojum1769]

So what you're saying is you don't like scary fun? ..SAD

[@dibblydooda7604]

YOU SOUND LIKE A COWARD ....WHEN YOU DECIDE TO ACT ON YOUR FEAR WE WILL BE THERE TO STOP YOU...

[@boojum1769]

Dibblydooda ooooh, all weaponised bot caps.. SCARY AF

[@gubberfuck]

The beginning of the end. I think we have finally passed the point of no return.

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

gubberfuck We reached that point the moment Trump was announced as the candidate for the Republican party. Now we're speeding down the hill into the pits of Hell desperately trying to find an off ramp.

[@telectronix1368]

Think of it like finally having that pent-up family argument that everyone knew was there in the background, rumbling away. Trump pushing the limits of the US constitution, the powers of office, totally ignoring certain "unacceptable but perfectly ignorable" norms of behaviour........is a conversation that the US has been needing to have, if only to finally get rid of these 'grey areas' in the laws and practices we assumed would just never matter.

[@mlghelp2day]

The way Stephen said "pardon" in Drumpfs voice.....😅😅

[@Trainfan1055Janathan]

That last joke earned you a like from me.

[@abdimohamud5252]

Why would Trump need to pardon himself if he is innocent.🤔

[@adonaiorion]

Like throwing a punch at someone, apologizing to yourself, then accepting the pardon. Logic more flexible than a yoga instructor.

[@DhavalShukla]

Abdi Mohamud because apparently if you haven't colluded with Russia but the dems have, you have the chance of being held accountable for their crime that the dems hired the FBI to release the story about Hillary on the election times just because they want to frame him from apparent winning the election. Interesting.....

[@skiks1853]

So what Dhaval is saying he's an idiot just like his president or he's Russian.

[@DhavalShukla]

Skiks yes. Exactly.

[@jmwilliams734]

Because he’s not

[@devonlockwood1477]

Father forgive me. It has been 500 days since I last tried to pardon my self.

[@nayotorres111]

I remember learning in school that the president cannot pardon himself because it's breaking the checks and balances of powers.

[@lorenajenny]

They don’t teach that at Trump’s University

[@weslance7913]

Nayo Torres Same.

[@laurafordemocracy]

Museum of Intolerance! 😂

[@-Rambi-]

Good system you got there America, can you remind me again, What's the difference between your sitting president and a dictator?

[@Moneymyke357]

Truck fump

[@arrobaroa]

IT WAS ABOUT DAMN TIME COLBERT YOU BEAUTIFUL MAN!

[@EugeneAxe]

Welcome back, Stephen!

[@Buthyful]

Whenever I read a tweet by trump (which I rarely do), I hear it in my head by Stephen's voice! hehehehe

[@jaridkeen123]

Trump Screams "I'm Guilty"

[@Auriam]

This is the one time Drumpf pardons himself... He doesn't even pardon himself when he farts. He just assumes everyone else enjoys the fine aroma as much as he does.

[@louisechacon9836]

SO, that's where that sinkhole came from!

[@MeerkatMaple]

Why does Rudy Giuliani look and talk like the Space Dad from Megamind

[@gypsieladie]

Elm lol Don't ruin Megamind for me.

[@chuckcanuck4951]

Hilarious as always!

[@razamanaz8199]

Watching this now, June 2019 is just 😱😱🤦‍♂️🤦‍♀️. This’s like watch a trainwreck happening, you’re not able to look away 😱😱😱🤯

[@healingv1sion]

Now it's November 2020 😂😂😂

[@FirnonZodd]

I get the feeling if Trump does pardon himself, someone might take the law into their own hands

[@Azul-jb8ve]

thank kratos Colbert's back

[@chinarace]

Azul Cielo Colbert is a fucking anti American peice of filth

[@patrickhanlon932]

"Come for the chicken. Come for the porn" Wow, we've reached a new level of Colbert. LOL

[@badlydrawnturtle8484]

You misspelled one of those words.

[@patrickhanlon932]

Can you say that on NBC????

[@deadraider420]

come for the burger, not chicken

[@spudanky]

Patrick Hanlon we’ve reached a new level of listening comprehension.

[@jameswilliams4033]

#REMOVE TRUMP&ADMINISTRATION!😒

[@MrGreensweightHist]

No, a president cannot pardon himself. A pardon is issued AFTER a conviction.

[@norarobinson3091]

I miss Stephen when he is on vacation

[@pop5678eye]

People need to learn the legal difference between impeachment, removal from office, and what a pardon is about. Legally speaking, an impeachment is merely a trial by Congress of a federal politician (technically not just the president or VP, it can be a SC justice as well) to establish whether the person is guilty of 'treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.' (read the Constitution) It's the equivalent of an indictment by a grand jury. Removal from office is the actual establishment of guilt. If the Congress finds the person actually guilty of the crime, then by a majority vote they would remove them of office. Note, this is not the same as an actual criminal trial. A criminal trial, technically is breaking statute law, and is tried in criminal court, not by Congress, and follows the procedures of criminal trials. A presidential pardon applies to criminal law, by which a president has the power to absolve someone convicted in criminal court of a misdemeanor, or felony conviction on all records. It does not apply to impeachments. (i.e. a president who is impeached, for obvious reasons cannot just say that a guilty vote on his own impeachment is invalid) The legal dilemma for DT (that has never been tested) would be that even if he is charged with felony, and convicted, but not impeached or removed from office, as a convict he may technically have the power to absolve himself from that conviction. Even if already in prison, he could return to the presidency if he committed a felony, but not yet been impeached. So if you want DT to pay for his crimes, you first need to remove his republican diehards from Congress (vote them out!) to get an impeachment, then demand that he is actually tried in criminal court. Can I hear a 'Lock him up!' chant? Oh right, that only applies to women who dared to use e-mail...

[@WildFyreful]

Very useful to know! This clarified some things for me.

[@oceanlore5672]

TechnoPhobic Thisistotallymyreallastname Trump uses an unsecure device to tweet all day. In the 80's we called him Don the con. Trump most certainly is a money launderer, i.e. sold Florida property for more than value to Russian fertilizer oligarch so said Russian could keep funds from ex during divorce. Trump cannot obtain business loans from New York banks because of numerous bankruptcies and his reputation for not paying on loans. Eric Trump stated the Trump business got loans from Russian banks for property dev. On defunct N. Carolina golf course Trumps bought. When bankruptcy is filed construction contractors don't get paid. People defend Trump but he doesn't give a sh!t about his defenders. Look how he has treated his personal lawyer Michael Cohen. How his lying to Huckabee Sanders and sending her out to spew his lies to the press. He is an habitual liar. He was blackballed from being an NFL team owner because of his rep. Republicans and Clinton haters took the bait, drank the Kool-aid and voted for this con man to be President of the United States of America. Just wait for all of the tariffs from our allies because of his idiotic tariffs.

[@yabadabadue7889]

TechnoPhobic Thisistotallymyreallastname you asked for Trump crimes then deny themn...what's the point. Just say you support Trump no matter what and move on with your day. Also, just because someone dislikes/disagrees with Trump doesn't automatically make them a Hillary supporter. People can simply not like Trump on his own lack of merit and human decency.

[@oceanlore5672]

TechnoPhobic Thisistotallymyreallastname Moneylaundering also involves wire fraud (international wire fraud), possible tax evasion, these are the types of crimes that put the mob bosses in federal prison. Spanky was served a court order to pay $25 million for Trump university scam. Of course we do not know what the FBI or Mueller have. You seem to insinuate that Moneylaundering ain't that big of a deal. We're talking BIGLY amounts of 💰. He thought he was rid of the Russia investigation when he fired Comey and bragged about it to Putin's Men that Trump had in the oval o#ice the day after firing Comey. If Toddler trump was so innocent why does he continue to twitterpate daily? If he were innocent he would want the investigation to continue in order to secure our country from Russian hacking our infrastructure, which has occurred and reported in the last few months.

[@genivaldodugan6682]

First, provide credible evidence of criminal activity...which they have not yet found....second, lock up Hillary for the mountain of evidence against her....

[@russellcampbell9198]

They boo you when they love you?! Not in this world, Rudy.

[@isword]

No he can't.

[@matt00794]

there is actually nothing saying that he can't. that's the problem we are running into with his presidency. He is breaking a lot of norms that aren't actually laws so he can do them, but it's just not how it is normally done. This isn't him exactly but Obama was able to nominate a supreme court justice and then the senate just waited until after the election and trump won so that trump can pick the justice. Or his bizarre press briefings where he contradicts what his people are saying because he learns the policies on fox and then finds out he doesn't like them. These thing just didn't happen before but that was just because people decided not too. The only way he wouldn't be able to would be to have a constitutional amendment.

[@jayfolk]

thats why theyre going after him on state laws, hes cleared federal, but state & federal have been independent from another since the civil war.

[@telectronix1368]

Muhannad Ajjan - A sitting President can technically do this (it isn't specifically ruled out). **Morally** a president shouldn't do this, though.

[@mlghelp2day]

Our family loves you soooo much! We missed you so much! You help us keep a smile and lol in these STRESSFUL DARK drumpfy times. A million thanks my friend. I hope your well deserved vacation was a good one. "....Come for the burger, come for the porn star" Great monologue! Lol🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅

[@SpinosaurusTheProudSocialist]

Now why would an innocent man need to pardon himself? If Trump did nothing wrong then why would that thought of pardoning himself even cross his mind? It sounds to me like Trump has something to hide.

[@russmartin9549]

Cuz it's the only thought his prosthetic head ever produced. "Danger, danger, I gotta..... .................. ....

[@TheDivotking1]

Way to go Stormy!

[@jamesl9371]

If I was James Comey I’d be very worried. Rudy Rudy Rudy! The best character in the soap opera since the Mooch!

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

James Lade ROTFLMAO! 😂 Worried? Are you joking if I were Muller I be on my knees thanking God for Giuliani & his incompetence! The 3000 years old rejected exhibit from the Mett Museum Egyptian Gallery. Keeps dumping on Trump an ever deepening pile of caustic shit. If the chedder faced scrotum that is Trump. Were to follow *any* of Ghouliani's advice. He'd be out the door & slaped in handcuffs so fast his hair implants would fly off his scalp! Trump is Damed if he does & Damed if he doesn't. The only question is does he want a slightly slower eviction from the White House. (Say in a few months time) or to be tossed out as soon as he makes a move against Muller?

[@worf7271]

The crowd was just chanting BOO-liani

[@Popcultureguy3000]

Jeff Sessions wearing thick glasses: I was saying BOO-liani.

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

I heard "Boo-urns". Or possibly "Laurel".

[@Susanmugen]

I was chanting boo-urns.

[@70s80s]

😆😍😆

[@debrarowley4447]

Worf: I have to tell you that I like the name "Worf." It has a nice ring and, well, it is cute. I like the BOO-liani too!

[@GumaroRVillamil]

"Smithers, are they booing me?" - "No sir, they're saying Booerns Booerns."

[@JohnDoe-qo4xd]

Colbert; you can turn my dark, heavy mornings (here in Europe where we see you a bit later...) into a laugh. You hit the nail all the time.

[@brendanorth2101]

Trump and Guilianni. Maybelline and Denture Cream. Long, red ties and scary eyes. Twitter rants and fat suit pants. Covfefes and Glory Days. When will all this madness end! Depends. No Country for Old Men.

[@brownkemosabe]

I see you come back from a showtime break and post early. I like you, Intern. You good.

[@MrJhuang999]

Pardon moi? When does the trash disposal come, Dumps stench is really starting to reek

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

There's a pre-requisite: What are you guilty of, Mr. President?

[@robertoortiz3436]

We have a crazy M.F president!

[@anthonynycholas4230]

No argument there. We got fleeced in the worst way by 38% of Americans that voted for a batshit crazy con artist, malignant Narcissistic and egomaniacal individual that has committed crimes that the people in power turn a blind eye to like the sexual harassment/assault that over 6 women had accused him of during the campaign and was reinforced by a recording of himself admitting that he has done so (the Hollywood Access Tape.) which would if those Republicans claim they are for "Family Values" would turn on Trump and disqualify him as President-elect for the possibility of doing so during his four years as President. His payment AS PRESIDENT to his payment to his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, for 10 years, for the multiple cover-ups of using "Hush-money" to keep several marital affairs like with Stephane(spelling?) Cliffords aka Stormy Daniels was paid one hundred and thirty thousand dollars for her silence or Karen McDougal(spelling?) who was paid one hundred and fifty thousand dollars revealed by Michael Cohen's testimony

[@donnpatz2779]

I can see that america now is a circus if you shut the doors it becomes a mad house.

[@bjsmith6095]

donn patez Elect a clown expect a circus.

[@djones9122]

donn patez yea South America is a circus .

[@skybaby444]

Missed you sooo much.

[@mikeb2480]

Oswald, We need you.

[@Exxon300]

Thank you, Stephen for keeping my sanity.

[@jst3134]

I don't think I have laughed so much in a loooooooooooong time!!!!!!!

[@graemenicholls2836]

Surely he needs to lose a rib to pardon himself

[@19thHour]

When I was in high school, there were rumors that one of the kids had tried to pardon himself. They said that he had a rib removed so he could physically do it. Just rumors though.

[@Rose_Nebula]

19thHour wow opposition with Jordan klepper

[@Doktor47]

Why didn't you include the rest of the bit? That was funny as hell on The Opposition

[@BobbinMcferry]

har har har

[@zen-wu5zl]

19thHour I too watch The Opposition with Jordan Klepper.

[@laudenos8483]

Nice reference,that show should be as, if not more popular than LSSC.

[@shanadir]

So, if he makes it to reelection, but looks like he will lose, what are the odds of him claiming he can extend his own mandate inefinitely?

[@oceanlore5672]

The Glorious Champion of all that is Good and Just We do have a second amendment which gives us the right to bear arms against a tyrannical government

[@GamerKillance]

Ocean Lore Well for starters after WW2 the legislation stopped that from happening again. Presidents can't stay over 2 terms regardless of what they say. Second I doubt anyone would take up arms. America has too many fat folks who can't even run a mile. You think you can fight against the army of the United states of America just because the amendment says you can? And for the record the 2nd amendment was created so we'd always have a militia force in case the land is invaded.

[@xy6845]

If he really chooses to pardon himself, he's gon be toast. The public will never forgive a dishonest and coward act like that.

[@robcrissinger776]

X Y Don't fear his followers will forgive him anything. Never understamite the stupidity of that crowd.

[@xy6845]

Yeah... but that crowd of nutjobs is a fuckin minority in this country. I'm talkin bout the general public. Just sayin.

[@Splucked]

The President may grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, *except in cases of impeachment.* If Mueller waits until fall to submit his report, and Democrats win a majority in November, then impeachment is possible. As much as I detest Trump, I think it would be better for the country if they nail his sorry ass when he leaves office.

[@spammyhell6566]

+Spluck It ~ Except lives are being destroyed every single day. The environment is being decimated, our parklands are being sold off for drilling and excavation, ppl in PR and Flint don't have basic necessities for life, we're traumatizing babies and breaking up families - the sooner this insanity ends the fewer ppl will be hurt/killed.

[@Splucked]

+Spammy Hell I agree! However, Trump has polarized the United States. The nuclear option will make 1/2 the country even crazier than it is right now. If he's removed from office, then I think that there will be riots across the country. Too many people believe that he's a good guy, the allegations against him are manufactured and the Mueller investigation is a shady operation directed by Democrats and the FBI. If we can get enough momentum going to take control of the House and Senate, then we can stop Trump in his tracks (hopefully) without fear of violence.

[@ephraimsimable]

Nail him for? Collusion is not a crime

[@AnEvolvingApe]

We need to start taxing all Church income and properties. Some estimates indicate that would be around $100billion per year.

[@BuzryHaproMandalorianHunter]

An Evolving Ape How about we do that to Televangelist?

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

Robert Robrahn They already *have* a voice in politics it's called the Republican party!

[@jessicacyr6669]

Start fairly taxing corporations. $3 trillion per year.

[@lindag5488]

Agreed these so called Christians have used the bully pulpit without paying taxes for way too long now. If they had to pay taxes on their properties, I bet their parishioners wouldn't cough up enough money and these churches would become extinct.

[@shanadir]

An Evolving Ape some estimates also put it at 12.50. Just pointing out that 'some estimates' isn' t a very reputable source. Agree about the tax thing though

[@jessicacyr6669]

On the baker issue ... I wouldn't go to a kosher deli in New York and demand a pulled pork sandwich and take it to the Supreme Court because I was refused.

[@angelxe1]

Do they serve that there?

[@jessicacyr6669]

Of course not. It is against Jewish law to consume pork. that is the point I was making. It is not about food. It is about DEMANDING something from some one against their beliefs that you can easily get somewhere else without making a federal case out of it.

[@angelxe1]

what i am trying to say is that they don't serve that there. i can see the comparison you are trying to make but it may be better to use a different example. this is more like refusing to sell pineapple to a person because they are going to cook pork with it.

[@jessicacyr6669]

Jessica Cornejo I get that. You make a valid point. A pet shelter can refuse to give you a puppy if they believe you are going to feed it to pitbulls to further dog fights. (Yet another analogy) The point is that private citizens have a right not to serve you if they have some reason that they don't believe in. Don't make a big deal, go some where else.

[@angelxe1]

there is a difference here that i just can not shake. a puppy is a living being not a pair of shoes or food. but i will rest that for now because i understand the point you are trying to make. i am also going to look into whether this is a private citizen situation in the legal sense. its not like they showed up to his house and asked him to bake a cake. i think the couple sued because they wanted to ensure that protections are there for other couples. walking into a place where you are treated less than is an awful experience. they just want to be treated like everyone else. but honestly i don't think i want the government to force people to sell anyone food. i would worry that they might put something into food. :P i really wish there were easy solutions to all this. do you think that dog fights are equal to same sex marriage? (i'm honestly wondering not trying to be a smart ass or anything)

[@WestOfEarth]

Ghouliani? haha

[@natalie651]

I love New York, I love New York, I love New York!

[@nocalsteve]

They missed the best part of the Juliani interview. Juliani said of the Mueller investigation, “...Other than some guilty pleas, no one’s been convicted of anything.”

[@ERosa1991]

"Rome was an Empire long before it had an Emperor" - Crash Course World History

[@Elephantstonica]

Eric William Rosa 'O tempora, o mores'

[@livinginvancouverbc2247]

Look, I'm sure Giuliani and the other Republicans are sincere in their arguments. Gosh, I'm sure they would've said the exact same things in support of Obama's rights as President.

[@jonathancampbell7798]

LivingInVancouverBC of course. Google the fox news of them hating him and praising Trump for the same thing. Cringey

[@UTU49]

The next Democrat president has the "absolute right" to pardon "anyone he wants": Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, BILL Clinton, Harvey Weinstein, Charles Manson, Martha Stewart, Al Franken, Rosie O'Donnell... or ANYBODY ELSE... for ANY CRIME. If I hear a single conservative complain about this, I am going to laugh in their face and say that there's NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT -- it's the Democrat president's ironclad constitutional right. I'm also going to call out those conservatives for being the malicious, ignorant, hypocritical children that they are.

[@josefinete3015]

UTU49 you're so disgusting human bee you don't have no respect for yourself or anybody in this world it's a very very sad went to be kind and nice to other people would you like for me to tell you that things about you of course not

[@livinginvancouverbc2247]

Jonathan Campbell I did see that. I couldn't watch after five minutes. If that's not Right Wing propaganda, nothing is.

[@livinginvancouverbc2247]

UTU49 Not gonna happen. The Republicans will completely change their tune. Like Jose Finete says, why don't you buzz off, you disgusting human bee? nyuk nyuk

[@KingOfMadCows]

Yeah, but Trump probably thinks pardon is your score when you finish a golf game.

[@tiny99990]

Nah Trump plays to much golf to think that... I mean he has played more golf in office than the last 4 presidents put together... well probably at least... who knows maybe he actually started to work... I doubt it though...

[@TheKaiTetley]

You got a birdie and a hole in one? That’s nothing, I got a pardon. A pardon Trump’s all.

[@juandeleon2681]

This is the best time to put ourselves on the right side of history because all of this will pass but not the way everyone will be remembered

[@UmmYeahOk]

Ideally, you'd want to have a low score in golf, but 90 is still pretty darn good.

[@markallen3293]

Or as they say 'A Muellagan:

[@vicovendale6955]

This is without a doubt the longest, weirdest, funniest, scariest acid trip I have ever been on.

[@lordlucius1341]

Only time Yankees fans boo like that is when they see a rod

[@b1ngnx33]

Welcome back. U r awesome. 😁

[@davidh2809]

And... Trump dissolves the imperial senate and sets in motion for the completion of the Death Star.

[@Wednesdaywoe1975]

David H Does that make Pence Toff?

[@luisanunez837]

The death wall...

[@thomasridley8675]

To accept a pardon trump would have to admit guilt. Being pres. was trumps worst business decision ever and with his history thats saying something.

[@judya4264]

The only thing that's keeping me from leaving the Country, is Stephen Colbert.

[@quinnsinclair7028]

Wasn’t the definition of treason altered from “working against the head of a country” to “working against the interests of the country” a few hundred years ago when England charged their king with treason?