Obama’s Power to Pardon Hillary: He Doesn’t Need A Reason

Whatever the outcome of FBI Director James Comey’s revived investigation into Hillary’s private server, one thing is sure.  Hillary Clinton will not face indictment or trial.  Long before that would occur, President Barack Obama would use his power to pardon her.

Article II, Section II of the Constitution states the president “shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.”  There is no requirement that formal charges be filed.

The president may execute the pardon power at any time without regard to an indictment or conviction of any crime. President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon, for any crimes he may have committed, writing “I, Gerald R. Ford, … do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.”

Comey’s end game probably is not the prosecution of Hillary Clinton.  There is another political purpose behind Comey’s “ill-timed” letter to Congress.

Comey made an remarkable end run around Attorney General Loretta Lynch, saying that he was obliged to break with department policy

because he had promised to inform members of Congress if there were further developments in the case.  He also felt that the impending election created a compelling need to inform the public, despite the tradition of acting with added discretion around elections.

If it is truly important, as it appears to be, Comey cannot ever let it be said that he waited until after the election to revive the matter.  Such deliberate concealment could be a far worse attempt to “influence” the election.

Wikileaks is threatening another bombshell release which promises to lead to the arrest of Hillary Clinton herself.  Until Julian Assange actually releases such information, it is merely a poker game and Hillary Clinton is standing pat.

However, if either the forthcoming Wikileaks dump or Comey’s new email evidence is so very crippling that the Democrat brand is irreparably threatened, then expect the party to request Hillary’s quiet resignation in exchange for Obama’s pardon.  Given Hillary’s arrogance and the numerous apparent violations of federal law already revealed by leaked emails and undercover videos, it is hard to imagine what new revelations would trigger such a negotiation.

With just days to go and a sympathetic media on her side, Obama presumably has the time to allow Clinton finish her presidential run.  If she wins the election, she’s in the clear.  If she loses, Obama can pardon Clinton before transferring power in January in order to bring “closure” to the FBI investigation quickly lest additional information reveal DNC connections to crimes.