palmerreport--2020-11-30--Trump stooge Steve Mnuchin is in legal trouble

President-elect Joe Biden ’ s transition team lambasted Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin for allowing some Federal Reserve pandemic lending programs to expire , making it harder for the Biden Administration to implement similar programs .
This is a disturbing reminder that the Trump administration has never been about “ America First ” — it ’ s been putting its own interests before America ’ s every step of the way .
This is also a reminder that Steve Mnuchin is probably going to face some serious legal problems once he ’ s out of office .
You might remember that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mnuchin ran OneWest Bank .
During his tenure at OneWest , the bank wasn ’ t exactly known for abiding by the law .
The Intercept reported in early 2017 that it obtained a memo drafted by California state prosecutors written several years before alleging “ OneWest rushed delinquent homeowners out of their homes by violating notice and waiting period statutes , illegally backdated key documents , and effectively gamed foreclosure auctions .
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the leaders of the state attorney general ’ s Consumer Law Section said they .
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@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the small subsection of OneWest loans they were able to examine .
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” And that ’ s not even the best part .
Those prosecutors recommended to the California Attorney General that she file a civil enforcement action against the bank .
So who was the California AG at the time ?
Vice President-elect , Kamala Harris .
Harris underwent some scrutiny for not charging the bank , but that ’ s not what ’ s important here .
What ’ s important is that Mnuchin is on the Biden Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s administration couldn ’ t go after Mnuchin itself , but having a president who isn ’ t actively on Mnuchin ’ s side ( or has a vested interest in keeping Mnuchin on his side ) is a big plus for prosecutors .
Recall that Mnuchin has repeatedly lied under oath .
So while the OneWest Bank scandal might be behind him , his more recent crimes certainly are not .
We can only hope that justice will be served .

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President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team lambasted Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin for allowing some Federal Reserve pandemic lending programs to expire, making it harder for the Biden Administration to implement similar programs. This is a disturbing reminder that the Trump administration has never been about “America First” — it’s been putting its own interests before America’s every step of the way. This is also a reminder that Steve Mnuchin is probably going to face some serious legal problems once he’s out of office.
You might remember that, before working as a Trump lackey, Mnuchin ran OneWest Bank. During his tenure at OneWest, the bank wasn’t exactly known for abiding by the law. The Intercept reported in early 2017 that it obtained a memo drafted by California state prosecutors written several years before alleging “OneWest rushed delinquent homeowners out of their homes by violating notice and waiting period statutes, illegally backdated key documents, and effectively gamed foreclosure auctions . . . the leaders of the state attorney general’s Consumer Law Section said they . . . identified over a thousand legal violations in the small subsection of OneWest loans they were able to examine . . .”
And that’s not even the best part. Those prosecutors recommended to the California Attorney General that she file a civil enforcement action against the bank. So who was the California AG at the time? Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris.
Harris underwent some scrutiny for not charging the bank, but that’s not what’s important here. What’s important is that Mnuchin is on the Biden Administration’s radar. Of course, Biden’s administration couldn’t go after Mnuchin itself, but having a president who isn’t actively on Mnuchin’s side (or has a vested interest in keeping Mnuchin on his side) is a big plus for prosecutors.
Recall that Mnuchin has repeatedly lied under oath. So while the OneWest Bank scandal might be behind him, his more recent crimes certainly are not. We can only hope that justice will be served.
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palmerreport--2020-11-30--Donald Trump goes berserk and accuses Bill Barr of being part of the conspiracy against him

– Donald Trump used his Fox News call-in on Sunday to insist that Bill Barr is part of the massive conspiracy against him .
That ’ s right , Bill Barr .
His top remaining henchman .
That ’ s how bad it ’ s gotten for Trump .
Come to think of it , Barr needs a pardon in order to avoid being charged with felony obstruction of justice .
Is Barr ’ s pardon now in danger ?
– President-elect Joe Biden announced on Sunday evening that he twisted his ankle while playing with his dog .
Best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , how refreshing is it to have a President who ’ s honest with us about his health ?
And how refreshing is it to have a President who would actually play with a dog ?
– Now that Wisconsin has completed its recount in both counties that Trump paid for , it means Joe Biden has won Wisconsin again .
We ’ d all be better of if Trump would just give up and leave now .
But since he ’ s insisting on fighting this until the bitter end , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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– Donald Trump used his Fox News call-in on Sunday to insist that Bill Barr is part of the massive conspiracy against him. That’s right, Bill Barr. His top remaining henchman. That’s how bad it’s gotten for Trump. Come to think of it, Barr needs a pardon in order to avoid being charged with felony obstruction of justice. Is Barr’s pardon now in danger?
– President-elect Joe Biden announced on Sunday evening that he twisted his ankle while playing with his dog. Best wishes to him on his recovery. Meanwhile, how refreshing is it to have a President who’s honest with us about his health? And how refreshing is it to have a President who would actually play with a dog?
– Now that Wisconsin has completed its recount in both counties that Trump paid for, it means Joe Biden has won Wisconsin again. We’d all be better of if Trump would just give up and leave now. But since he’s insisting on fighting this until the bitter end, I am not getting tired of winning.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Donald Trump has “catturd” meltdown after complaining about “massive dumps”

Donald Trump tried calling the Republican Governor of Arizona today during a televised hearing , and the Governor sent Trump to voicemail .
You ’ d think this would have to be Trump ’ s most embarrassing moment of the day .
There ’ s no way to top that , right ?
Now Trump has arguably found a way to top it .
He ’ s spent half the night repeatedly retweeting someone named “ cat turd.
” No , really .
Actually he ’ s retweeting @ catturd2 – and if you ’ re wondering why the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and @ catturd1 got suspended .
And what does cat turd have to say for himself ?
One of his tweets says this : “ save your breath barking to us about there being no evidence.
” Wait a minute , why is cat turd tweeting about barking ?
Does this person not know which animals make what noises ?
Also , on a surreal note , @ catturd2 has blocked Palmer Report .
How is any of this even possible ?
In any case , Trump ’ s “ cat turd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he went on live national television and complained about “ massive dumps.
” So we may be detecting a pattern here .
In any case , if Trump is going to keep forcing the spotlight onto himself like this , we ’ re going to keep humiliating him for it , until he figures out that this isn ’ t the kind of attention he was seeking .
Fifty days and he ’ s no longer our problem .

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Donald Trump tried calling the Republican Governor of Arizona today during a televised hearing, and the Governor sent Trump to voicemail. You’d think this would have to be Trump’s most embarrassing moment of the day. There’s no way to top that, right?
Now Trump has arguably found a way to top it. He’s spent half the night repeatedly retweeting someone named “cat turd.” No, really. Actually he’s retweeting @catturd2 – and if you’re wondering why the “2” is necessary, we checked, and @catturd1 got suspended.
And what does cat turd have to say for himself? One of his tweets says this: “save your breath barking to us about there being no evidence.” Wait a minute, why is cat turd tweeting about barking? Does this person not know which animals make what noises? Also, on a surreal note, @catturd2 has blocked Palmer Report. How is any of this even possible?
In any case, Trump’s “cat turd” debacle comes just one day after he went on live national television and complained about “massive dumps.” So we may be detecting a pattern here. In any case, if Trump is going to keep forcing the spotlight onto himself like this, we’re going to keep humiliating him for it, until he figures out that this isn’t the kind of attention he was seeking. Fifty days and he’s no longer our problem.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Donald Trump and his goons are completely lost in the weeds

Donald Trump supporters on Twitter have spent the day making up increasingly bizarre phony conspiracy theories about CIA Director Gina @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s dead , while others are insisting she was arrested for “ treason @ @ @ @ @ at Guantanamo .
It ’ s not just a few of them , either .
@ @ @ @ @ been openly fantasizing about this nonsense , Haspel ’ s name ended up trending on @ @ @ @ @ rather disturbing , of course .
But it ’ s also a reminder that Trump @ @ @ @ @ totally lost in the weeds .
They ’ re not remotely focused on trying to @ @ @ @ @ , which gives us an opportunity to get a leg up and take control of @ @ @ @ @ McConnell .
– Trump now claims it ’ s “ not statistically possible ” that @ @ @ @ @ reminder , this is a guy who paid someone else to take his SAT , @ @ @ @ @ wonder he doesn ’ t understand how math works .

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Donald Trump supporters on Twitter have spent the day making up increasingly bizarre phony conspiracy theories about CIA Director Gina Haspel. Some have insisted she’s dead, while others are insisting she was arrested for “treason” and is being questioned at Guantanamo. It’s not just a few of them, either. So many Trump goons have been openly fantasizing about this nonsense, Haspel’s name ended up trending on Twitter.
The is all rather disturbing, of course. But it’s also a reminder that Trump’s remaining supporters are totally lost in the weeds. They’re not remotely focused on trying to win the Georgia Senate runoffs, which gives us an opportunity to get a leg up and take control of the Senate away from Mitch McConnell.
– Trump now claims it’s “not statistically possible” that he lost. As a reminder, this is a guy who paid someone else to take his SAT, so it’s no wonder he doesn’t understand how math works.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Sean Hannity goes completely off the deep end as Donald Trump circles the drain

– On his Fox News show tonight , Sean Hannity said “ I don ’ t vet the information on this program.
” No really , he said that .
Maybe he misspoke .
Maybe he doesn ’ t know what the word “ vet ” means .
But he said it .
Then he called on Trump to pardon himself and his family .
Hannity is completely unraveling .
Couldn ’ t happen to a nicer guy .
– Rudy Giuliani just tweeted “ Governor Ducey of Arizona refuses to meet with me .
He doesn ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrupt Voting Macine company to count the vote.
” Part of the problem is that Rudy is a corrupt lunatic making up deranged conspiracy theories .
The other part of the problem is that Rudy doesn ’ t know how to spell “ machine.
” – This comes after Donald Trump retweeted “ Gov Ducey has betrayed the people of Arizona ” and “ Who needs Democrats when you have Republicans like Brian Kemp and Doug Ducey ?
” That ’ s right , the Trump-Giuliani endgame is to try to take down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyal to Trump , but not loyal enough .
That ’ s a particularly stupid way for Trump to go out , but whatever .

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– On his Fox News show tonight, Sean Hannity said “I don’t vet the information on this program.” No really, he said that. Maybe he misspoke. Maybe he doesn’t know what the word “vet” means. But he said it. Then he called on Trump to pardon himself and his family. Hannity is completely unraveling. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
– Rudy Giuliani just tweeted “Governor Ducey of Arizona refuses to meet with me. He doesn’t want to explain that he selected a foreign corrupt Voting Macine company to count the vote.” Part of the problem is that Rudy is a corrupt lunatic making up deranged conspiracy theories. The other part of the problem is that Rudy doesn’t know how to spell “machine.”
– This comes after Donald Trump retweeted “Gov Ducey has betrayed the people of Arizona” and “Who needs Democrats when you have Republicans like Brian Kemp and Doug Ducey?” That’s right, the Trump-Giuliani endgame is to try to take down loyal far right Republicans who were highly loyal to Trump, but not loyal enough. That’s a particularly stupid way for Trump to go out, but whatever.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Donald Trump’s failure is now complete

Donald Trump’s failure is now complete

Arizona and Wisconsin both certified their results today .
They join Michigan , Pennsylvania , Georgia and Nevada , all of whom have certified their results already .
This means that every state that Trump tried to contest has now certified its results for Biden .
Trump ’ s failure is complete .
Between getting repeatedly laughed out of court , getting nowhere with his recounts , and ultimately getting no real traction with state legislatures , Trump has managed to fail on a level that would previously have been thought impossible .
When has one person ever lost thirty-nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ?
How is it even possible to illegally tamper with certifications in six states and come up empty in all six ?
That ’ s because Donald Trump was trying things that weren ’ t merely long shots , but were instead literally impossible .
It ’ s one thing to throw a hail mary pass at the end of a close game and hope that you somehow complete it , which would have been the scenario if Trump had lost the deciding swing state by something like a few hundred votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s another thing to be down by nineteen points , blow up the football with dynamite , and then try to convince the referees that the explosion was worth twenty points .
That ’ s what Trump did .
Even the referees who might have been rooting for him were never going to be able to give him what he wanted .
It was a given that he would end up being ejected from the game .

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Arizona and Wisconsin both certified their results today. They join Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada, all of whom have certified their results already. This means that every state that Trump tried to contest has now certified its results for Biden. Trump’s failure is complete.
Between getting repeatedly laughed out of court, getting nowhere with his recounts, and ultimately getting no real traction with state legislatures, Trump has managed to fail on a level that would previously have been thought impossible. When has one person ever lost thirty-nine court cases in the span of three weeks? How is it even possible to illegally tamper with certifications in six states and come up empty in all six?
That’s because Donald Trump was trying things that weren’t merely long shots, but were instead literally impossible. It’s one thing to throw a hail mary pass at the end of a close game and hope that you somehow complete it, which would have been the scenario if Trump had lost the deciding swing state by something like a few hundred votes and then took it to court.
It’s another thing to be down by nineteen points, blow up the football with dynamite, and then try to convince the referees that the explosion was worth twenty points. That’s what Trump did. Even the referees who might have been rooting for him were never going to be able to give him what he wanted. It was a given that he would end up being ejected from the game.
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Sad Mitch McConnell

– Jon Ossoff simply tweeted a photo of a sad Mitch McConnell today , with no further explanation .
Of course none was needed .
If Ossoff and Warnock win the Georgia runoffs , the Democrats take control of the Senate , and McConnell is no longer Majority Leader .
Donate to Ossoff and Warnock here .
– Turned on MSNBC today .
Saw the words “ Breaking News ” across the screen for something that turned out to definitely not be breaking news .
Turned off MSNBC .
They really haven ’ t figured out how to do hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , have they ?
Hopefully they ’ ll figure it out .
We need MSNBC to be good at what it does .
When MSNBC is bad at what it does , our movement suffers .
– After Ted Cruz tried to make the laughable argument on Twitter that the Democrats are the “ party of the rich , ” Alyssa Milano fired back at him accordingly : “ This is hilarious .
Why is the GOP blocking covid relief from working class families if it ’ s the party of working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour .
Sit down.
” Alyssa Milano would make a better Senator than Ted Cruz and it ’ s not even close .

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– Jon Ossoff simply tweeted a photo of a sad Mitch McConnell today, with no further explanation. Of course none was needed. If Ossoff and Warnock win the Georgia runoffs, the Democrats take control of the Senate, and McConnell is no longer Majority Leader. Donate to Ossoff and Warnock here.
– Turned on MSNBC today. Saw the words “Breaking News” across the screen for something that turned out to definitely not be breaking news. Turned off MSNBC. They really haven’t figured out how to do hit their ratings marks in a post-Trump era yet, have they? Hopefully they’ll figure it out. We need MSNBC to be good at what it does. When MSNBC is bad at what it does, our movement suffers.
– After Ted Cruz tried to make the laughable argument on Twitter that the Democrats are the “party of the rich,” Alyssa Milano fired back at him accordingly: “This is hilarious. Why is the GOP blocking covid relief from working class families if it’s the party of working class? Or blocking the bill to raise minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour. Sit down.” Alyssa Milano would make a better Senator than Ted Cruz and it’s not even close.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Sure signs that Donald Trump’s influence is quickly fading

Three signs today that Donald Trump ’ s influence is quickly fading : 1 ) His favorite pandemic advisor Scott @ @ @ @ @ ) Trump ’ s FCC Chairman also announced his resignation today .
3 ) Republican @ @ @ @ @ ’ s call to voicemail today during a televised certification hearing .
There are still @ @ @ @ @ holders who are giving Trump lip service and stating their support for his fantasy that @ @ @ @ @ actually lose the election .
But the reality is that the rats are fleeing the @ @ @ @ @ Governor refusing to take a phone call from the President of the United States , @ @ @ @ @ less , because the President has become that irrelevant .
– When the ship is @ @ @ @ @ the rats have all fled , there ’ s always that one idiot who runs @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve got a ship !
” That idiot is Nikki Haley .

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Three signs today that Donald Trump’s influence is quickly fading: 1) His favorite pandemic advisor Scott Atlas resigned today. 2) Trump’s FCC Chairman also announced his resignation today. 3) Republican Governor Doug Ducey sent Trump’s call to voicemail today during a televised certification hearing.
There are still far too many Republican office holders who are giving Trump lip service and stating their support for his fantasy that he somehow didn’t actually lose the election. But the reality is that the rats are fleeing the sinking ship. Imagine a Governor refusing to take a phone call from the President of the United States, from his own party no less, because the President has become that irrelevant.
– When the ship is just about finished sinking and the rats have all fled, there’s always that one idiot who runs on board and yells, “I’ve got a ship!” That idiot is Nikki Haley.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Lock him up: Trump lawyer Joe diGenova calls for execution of former government official

Donald Trump ’ s election lawyer Joe diGenova just called for the execution of former DHS official Chris Krebs , @ @ @ @ @ according to conservative site The Bulwark .
This comes after Steve Bannon called for the @ @ @ @ @ the FBI Director several weeks ago .
We can ’ t have this in civil @ @ @ @ @ like this must face criminal consequences .
Former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi tweeted that @ @ @ @ @ a “ retaliatory threat involving Krebs ’ official duties , in violation of federal law @ @ @ @ @ So we ’ re not the only ones who see diGenova ’ s words as @ @ @ @ @ Trump ended up firing his election lawyer Sidney Powell after she went on a conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ whacked out even for Trump .
Now we ’ ll see if Trump also fires @ @ @ @ @ , then we ’ ll assume that Trump is on board with his lawyer ’ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump should also be criminally investigated for it .

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Donald Trump’s election lawyer Joe diGenova just called for the execution of former DHS official Chris Krebs, whom Trump recently fired, according to conservative site The Bulwark. This comes after Steve Bannon called for the execution of Dr. Fauci and the FBI Director several weeks ago. We can’t have this in civil society. People who talk like this must face criminal consequences.
Former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi tweeted that diGenova’s threat is a “retaliatory threat involving Krebs’ official duties, in violation of federal law Title 18 USC 351.” So we’re not the only ones who see diGenova’s words as a criminal act.
Donald Trump ended up firing his election lawyer Sidney Powell after she went on a conspiracy theory bender that was too whacked out even for Trump. Now we’ll see if Trump also fires Joe diGenova. If not, then we’ll assume that Trump is on board with his lawyer’s violent threats, and that Trump should also be criminally investigated for it.
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palmerreport--2020-12-02--Donald Trump is reportedly about to pardon his family – and no, it’s not going to keep anyone out of

Donald Trump is reportedly about to pardon his family – and no, it’s not going to keep anyone out of prison

This evening we all learned that the DOJ is criminally investigating a Trump White House bribery-for-pardon scheme that ’ s been going on since at least August .
If you ’ re wondering why the judge in the case chose today to suddenly unseal the news of this case , it may be because she ’ s trying to put a damper on what Trump is about to try to do .
The New York Times broke the news this evening that Donald Trump is discussing whether to issue preemptive pardons to Donald Trump Jr , Eric Trump , Ivanka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani .
A few things stand out here .
First , all of these people ( except Giuliani ) are related to Trump .
In other words , even if Trump does end up being hesitant about pardons due to the DOJ investigation , it appears he still wants to pardon his family and the guy who knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried .
Second , pardons are legally considered admissions of guilt .
So if Trump ’ s family members accept these pardons , they ’ re confessing their guilt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no choice but to accept the pardon because they ’ re being framed and they expect to be wrongly convicted .
But the law would still see these pardons as felony confessions if they ’ re granted and accepted , which would open them up to civil litigation for the crimes they just confessed to .
Pardons don ’ t apply to civil liability .
Third , there is the constitutional question of whether the president can pardon his own alleged co-conspirators , an issue which has never been defined by the courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
So it ’ s possible that such pardons could be thrown out , though the odds of that would be anyone ’ s guess .
These pardons could also be thrown out for being preemptive ; Ford ’ s pardon of Nixon was preemptive , but it was never challenged in court .
Finally , even if Donald Trump does pardon his kids and Rudy , this would only apply to federal charges .
It would have no impact at all on whatever criminal charges that New York State is planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So these pardons wouldn ’ t keep anyone involved out of prison .
Bottom line , if Trump ’ s family members are proven guilty of crimes , they ’ ll end up in prison one way or the other .

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This evening we all learned that the DOJ is criminally investigating a Trump White House bribery-for-pardon scheme that’s been going on since at least August. If you’re wondering why the judge in the case chose today to suddenly unseal the news of this case, it may be because she’s trying to put a damper on what Trump is about to try to do.
The New York Times broke the news this evening that Donald Trump is discussing whether to issue preemptive pardons to Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Rudy Giuliani. A few things stand out here. First, all of these people (except Giuliani) are related to Trump. In other words, even if Trump does end up being hesitant about pardons due to the DOJ investigation, it appears he still wants to pardon his family and the guy who knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried.
Second, pardons are legally considered admissions of guilt. So if Trump’s family members accept these pardons, they’re confessing their guilt. They might argue that they have no choice but to accept the pardon because they’re being framed and they expect to be wrongly convicted. But the law would still see these pardons as felony confessions if they’re granted and accepted, which would open them up to civil litigation for the crimes they just confessed to. Pardons don’t apply to civil liability.
Third, there is the constitutional question of whether the president can pardon his own alleged co-conspirators, an issue which has never been defined by the courts because no president really ever tried it before. So it’s possible that such pardons could be thrown out, though the odds of that would be anyone’s guess. These pardons could also be thrown out for being preemptive; Ford’s pardon of Nixon was preemptive, but it was never challenged in court.
Finally, even if Donald Trump does pardon his kids and Rudy, this would only apply to federal charges. It would have no impact at all on whatever criminal charges that New York State is planning to bring against any of them. So these pardons wouldn’t keep anyone involved out of prison. Bottom line, if Trump’s family members are proven guilty of crimes, they’ll end up in prison one way or the other.
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palmerreport--2020-12-02--Who’s involved in Donald Trump’s pardon bribery scheme?

Tonight ’ s news that the DOJ busted a Trump White House bribery-for-pardon scheme has set off all kinds of questions about who might be involved .
As always tends to happen with these things , the redactions themselves have ended up being a clue .
For instance , one redacted sentence refers to “ _____ ’ clemency petition.
” The name appears to be perhaps five or six letters long .
Notably , unless it ’ s a typo , the apostrophe on the end gives away that this person ’ s name ends with the letter “ S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter to guess that it ’ s Lev Parnas .
However , Parnas has publicly come out against Trump , and seemingly wouldn ’ t be seeking clemency .
And in fact Parnas is now publicly calling for the criminal indictment of whoever was involved in the pardon scam .
This would seem to rule him out .
It ’ s being reported that the judge in the case has had this court document since August of 2020 , and decided to unseal it today .
Various observers have pointed out that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infamous commutation to date , that of Roger Stone , which took place in July of 2020 .
However , Stone ’ s name wouldn ’ t have a possessive apostrophe on the end of it .
It ’ s possible the redacted name is actually that of the attorney who was seeking the clemency .
But none of Stone ’ s trial lawyers have names that would end in a possessive apostrophe either .
So this may rule Stone out .
As we go through the list and seemingly rule out all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard of , we ’ re tempted to conclude that this criminal case might well be someone who ’ s not well known in relation to Trump .
In any case , regardless of who ’ s being criminally targeted in this scandal , it should help create a chilling effect when it comes to additional corrupt Trump pardons going forward .
After all , everyone involved now knows that the Feds are watching .

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Tonight’s news that the DOJ busted a Trump White House bribery-for-pardon scheme has set off all kinds of questions about who might be involved. As always tends to happen with these things, the redactions themselves have ended up being a clue.
For instance, one redacted sentence refers to “_____’ clemency petition.” The name appears to be perhaps five or six letters long. Notably, unless it’s a typo, the apostrophe on the end gives away that this person’s name ends with the letter “S.” This has led some observers on Twitter to guess that it’s Lev Parnas. However, Parnas has publicly come out against Trump, and seemingly wouldn’t be seeking clemency. And in fact Parnas is now publicly calling for the criminal indictment of whoever was involved in the pardon scam. This would seem to rule him out.
It’s being reported that the judge in the case has had this court document since August of 2020, and decided to unseal it today. Various observers have pointed out that this potentially aligns with Trump’s most infamous commutation to date, that of Roger Stone, which took place in July of 2020. However, Stone’s name wouldn’t have a possessive apostrophe on the end of it. It’s possible the redacted name is actually that of the attorney who was seeking the clemency. But none of Stone’s trial lawyers have names that would end in a possessive apostrophe either. So this may rule Stone out.
As we go through the list and seemingly rule out all the big names we’ve all heard of, we’re tempted to conclude that this criminal case might well be someone who’s not well known in relation to Trump. In any case, regardless of who’s being criminally targeted in this scandal, it should help create a chilling effect when it comes to additional corrupt Trump pardons going forward. After all, everyone involved now knows that the Feds are watching.
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palmerreport--2020-12-02--Donald Trump is now trying to burn it all down – for his own side

Donald Trump is telling the Governor of Georgia to “ call off ” the special election .
To be clear @ @ @ @ @ and won ’ t happen .
But Trump is now telling Republican voters not to @ @ @ @ @ election , in almost exact words .
Trump is trying to punish the Republican Party @ @ @ @ @ save him on his way down .
After all the loyalty they ’ ve shown @ @ @ @ @ years , he ’ s “ rewarding ” them by trying to take them down @ @ @ @ @ deserve it .
– Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis are now publicly attacking @ @ @ @ @ for admitting that Trump lost the election fair and square .
Once Trump lost , @ @ @ @ @ henchmen would start throwing each other under the bus , in the hope of being @ @ @ @ @ people who survive this implosion .
The kicker is that by turning on each other @ @ @ @ @ re merely helping ensure that none of them come out of this unscathed .

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Donald Trump is telling the Governor of Georgia to “call off” the special election. To be clear, that can’t and won’t happen. But Trump is now telling Republican voters not to bother participating in the special election, in almost exact words.
Trump is trying to punish the Republican Party for not doing enough to save him on his way down. After all the loyalty they’ve shown him over the past four years, he’s “rewarding” them by trying to take them down with him. And they deserve it.
– Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis are now publicly attacking Trump Attorney General Bill Barr for admitting that Trump lost the election fair and square. Once Trump lost, you always knew his various henchmen would start throwing each other under the bus, in the hope of being among the handful of Trump people who survive this implosion. The kicker is that by turning on each other so viciously, they’re merely helping ensure that none of them come out of this unscathed.
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palmerreport--2020-12-02--Here’s the amazing part about the DOJ busting Donald Trump’s pardon for cash scheme

This evening , unsealed court documents revealed that the DOJ busted Donald Trump and his White House for trying to sell a pardon for cash , as part of a larger Trump White House bribery scheme .
This has set off all kinds of speculation about who might be involved , because the names are redacted – and that appears to be the point .
If the DOJ had simply named and arrested the person who tried to buy the pardon , things might have ended there .
In fact , in such case , Trump might have turned around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
But because the judge is putting this out there with an air of mystery , it ’ s got to be spooking everyone else who ’ s corruptly seeking a pardon from Trump right now .
This could serve to have a chilling effect on Trump ’ s pardon antics between now and the end of his term .
We still expect him to try to pardon himself and his family , because he doesn ’ t really have a choice .
But just maybe , the mystery surrounding the name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damper on the rest of Trump ’ s pardons .
In any case , arrests in this DOJ case will surely come eventually .

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This evening, unsealed court documents revealed that the DOJ busted Donald Trump and his White House for trying to sell a pardon for cash, as part of a larger Trump White House bribery scheme. This has set off all kinds of speculation about who might be involved, because the names are redacted – and that appears to be the point.
If the DOJ had simply named and arrested the person who tried to buy the pardon, things might have ended there. In fact, in such case, Trump might have turned around and simply tried to pardon the person again. But because the judge is putting this out there with an air of mystery, it’s got to be spooking everyone else who’s corruptly seeking a pardon from Trump right now.
This could serve to have a chilling effect on Trump’s pardon antics between now and the end of his term. We still expect him to try to pardon himself and his family, because he doesn’t really have a choice. But just maybe, the mystery surrounding the name of the DOJ target will put a damper on the rest of Trump’s pardons. In any case, arrests in this DOJ case will surely come eventually.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Looks like the Feds just caught Donald Trump illegally trying to sell a pardon for cash

When Joe Biden was first named the winner of the election , Palmer Report urged everyone to look past Donald Trump ’ s dead-end antics to magically overturn the results , and instead focus on what Trump might be doing behind the scenes to try to raise cash for his eventual criminal trial defense team .
One of the things we suggested he might try to do : sell pardons for cash .
Now CNN ’ s John Harwood is reporting this : “ The Justice Department is investigating a potential crime related to funneling money to the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a court record unsealed on Tuesday by the chief judge of the DC District Court.
” The name of the person trying to buy the pardon has not yet been unsealed , but the DOJ clearly knows who this person is .
And of course Donald Trump is the one who tried to sell the pardon , since he ’ s the only one in the White House with pardon power .
It ’ s not clear when this payment happened .
Trump has pardoned several friends and allies over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally began pardoning his own co-conspirators .
But it ’ s also not clear if the target of this criminal probe actually received the pardon , meaning it could be anybody .
The identity of the person will come out in due time .
What ’ s notable here is that the DOJ is now going public with this by unsealing it , in what feels like an effort to make it more difficult for Trump to continue corruptly pardoning people in his final days in office .
In addition to the timing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DOJ is specifying that the whole thing was a criminal act .
It ’ s a reminder that pardons aren ’ t magic wands , and that you really can get in legal trouble if a pardon is obtained illegally .
Finally , it ’ s notable that Bill Barr is apparently either unwilling or unable to stop this DOJ investigation from going forward .
The DOJ now appears to be increasingly acting of its own accord , rather than being under Barr ’ s corrupt control .

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When Joe Biden was first named the winner of the election, Palmer Report urged everyone to look past Donald Trump’s dead-end antics to magically overturn the results, and instead focus on what Trump might be doing behind the scenes to try to raise cash for his eventual criminal trial defense team. One of the things we suggested he might try to do: sell pardons for cash.
Now CNN’s John Harwood is reporting this: “The Justice Department is investigating a potential crime related to funneling money to the White House in exchange for a presidential pardon, according to a court record unsealed on Tuesday by the chief judge of the DC District Court.”
The name of the person trying to buy the pardon has not yet been unsealed, but the DOJ clearly knows who this person is. And of course Donald Trump is the one who tried to sell the pardon, since he’s the only one in the White House with pardon power.
It’s not clear when this payment happened. Trump has pardoned several friends and allies over the past four years. This week he finally began pardoning his own co-conspirators. But it’s also not clear if the target of this criminal probe actually received the pardon, meaning it could be anybody.
The identity of the person will come out in due time. What’s notable here is that the DOJ is now going public with this by unsealing it, in what feels like an effort to make it more difficult for Trump to continue corruptly pardoning people in his final days in office.
In addition to the timing, it’s also notable that the DOJ is specifying that the whole thing was a criminal act. It’s a reminder that pardons aren’t magic wands, and that you really can get in legal trouble if a pardon is obtained illegally. Finally, it’s notable that Bill Barr is apparently either unwilling or unable to stop this DOJ investigation from going forward. The DOJ now appears to be increasingly acting of its own accord, rather than being under Barr’s corrupt control.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Donald Trump really is trying to take the Republicans down with him

Now that Donald Trump is out , the focus turns to the Senate races in Georgia , with good reason .
If Mitch McConnell retains power , President-elect Joe Biden will have a difficult time enacting policies that will help move us out of the current crisis .
The problem now is that Trump is out , but he will not go away .
Since losing the election , Trump has bombarded us with his crazy messages that he won , despite the fact that he did not , and he continues to stir up trouble as we head into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former favorite station Fox News last week , Trump continued his tirades against the vote and the judicial system that is not hearing his nonsense .
Trump told Fox : “ We ’ re not allowed to put in our proof .
They say we don ’ t have standing.
” No , they are saying you have no proof .
Look , for example , at the ruling made by Court of Appeals Judge Stephanos Bibas , who was appointed by “ president ” Donald Trump .
Judge Bibas wrote the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Appeals , and he did not mince words : “ Charges of unfairness are serious .
But calling an election unfair does not make it so .
Charges require specific allegations and then proof .
We have neither here .
.
.
.The campaign ’ s claims have no merit.
” The court ’ s decision had nothing to do with “ standing ” and everything to do with “ proof , ” or lack thereof .
Trump further claimed that Biden “ must prove ” that he won to enter the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proof is on the plaintiff — which is Trump .
Now that Trump ’ s meritless lawsuits are being shot down like metal ducks in a state fair pond , he has turned to what he does best : insulting people .
This time he is insulting fellow Republicans Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Governor Brian Kemp .
Trump told Fox that he is “ ashamed ” for endorsing Governor Kemp after Kemp certified Georgia ’ s results .
What did Trump expect Kemp to do ?
Georgia audited its vote count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State Raffensperger — and began a hand recount .
All roads lead to the same place : Joe Biden won Georgia .
Raffensperger wrote an opinion piece for USA Today , writing that he and his entire family voted for Trump and Trump “ threw them under the bus.
” Did he seriously expect anything else from Donald Trump ?
Now , according to Trump , Raffensperger is “ the enemy of the people.
” Trump has also vaguely advocated boycotting the Georgia runoff election in a show of solidarity against Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That will show Loeffler and Perdue .
We want to get rid of them anyway , so , please , boycott away .
Now , Trump is coming to Georgia to campaign with and for Purdue and Loeffler .
Which is it , Trump ?
He is such a petulant child who makes no sense whatsoever , yet people are still bemoaning the fact that he lost .
Perhaps they appreciate the ability to behave like children with no rebuke .
That might be true , but that behavior will no longer be @ @

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Now that Donald Trump is out, the focus turns to the Senate races in Georgia, with good reason. If Mitch McConnell retains power, President-elect Joe Biden will have a difficult time enacting policies that will help move us out of the current crisis. The problem now is that Trump is out, but he will not go away. Since losing the election, Trump has bombarded us with his crazy messages that he won, despite the fact that he did not, and he continues to stir up trouble as we head into our fourth week post-election.
Appearing on his former favorite station Fox News last week, Trump continued his tirades against the vote and the judicial system that is not hearing his nonsense. Trump told Fox: “We’re not allowed to put in our proof. They say we don’t have standing.” No, they are saying you have no proof. Look, for example, at the ruling made by Court of Appeals Judge Stephanos Bibas, who was appointed by “president” Donald Trump. Judge Bibas wrote the unanimous opinion of the Pennsylvania Court of Appeals, and he did not mince words: “Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here. . . .The campaign’s claims have no merit.” The court’s decision had nothing to do with “standing” and everything to do with “proof,” or lack thereof. Trump further claimed that Biden “must prove” that he won to enter the White House. No, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff — which is Trump.
Now that Trump’s meritless lawsuits are being shot down like metal ducks in a state fair pond, he has turned to what he does best: insulting people. This time he is insulting fellow Republicans Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Governor Brian Kemp. Trump told Fox that he is “ashamed” for endorsing Governor Kemp after Kemp certified Georgia’s results. What did Trump expect Kemp to do? Georgia audited its vote count — at the direction of Republican Secretary of State Raffensperger — and began a hand recount. All roads lead to the same place: Joe Biden won Georgia. Raffensperger wrote an opinion piece for USA Today, writing that he and his entire family voted for Trump and Trump “threw them under the bus.” Did he seriously expect anything else from Donald Trump? Now, according to Trump, Raffensperger is “the enemy of the people.”
Trump has also vaguely advocated boycotting the Georgia runoff election in a show of solidarity against Georgia’s “fraudulent” election. That will show Loeffler and Perdue. We want to get rid of them anyway, so, please, boycott away. Now, Trump is coming to Georgia to campaign with and for Purdue and Loeffler. Which is it, Trump? He is such a petulant child who makes no sense whatsoever, yet people are still bemoaning the fact that he lost. Perhaps they appreciate the ability to behave like children with no rebuke. That might be true, but that behavior will no longer be accepted.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Trump stooge Ron Johnson goes completely off the deep end after Bill Barr says it’s over

Republican Senator Ron Johnson , a Donald Trump stooge and blatant Kremlin asset , is now demanding that Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ there was no fraud in the election .
Let that sink in .
Barr says @ @ @ @ @ fraud , and so Johnson is demanding that Barr show everyone the lack of evidence @ @ @ @ @ has completely married himself to not only Donald Trump , but also the Kremlin-driven false @ @ @ @ @ such , to the point that Johnson ’ s reputation and career will never recover @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s the latest reminder that Trump ’ s complicit stooges really do @ @ @ @ @ this .
They bet everything on the notion that Trump could steal a second term @ @ @ @ @ indefinitely .
Most of them didn ’ t have a Plan B for if Trump @ @ @ @ @ re just going to see a lot of them squirm , yell , and panic @

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Republican Senator Ron Johnson, a Donald Trump stooge and blatant Kremlin asset, is now demanding that Attorney General Bill Barr show evidence that there was no fraud in the election. Let that sink in. Barr says there is no evidence of fraud, and so Johnson is demanding that Barr show everyone the lack of evidence of fraud.
Ron Johnson has completely married himself to not only Donald Trump, but also the Kremlin-driven false narratives about Hunter Biden and such, to the point that Johnson’s reputation and career will never recover now that Trump has lost.
It’s the latest reminder that Trump’s complicit stooges really do have nowhere to go after this. They bet everything on the notion that Trump could steal a second term and then remain in power indefinitely. Most of them didn’t have a Plan B for if Trump lost. Now we’re just going to see a lot of them squirm, yell, and panic.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--This Bill Barr John Durham Special Counsel thing is a red herring

Attorney General Bill Barr announced today that he ’ s found no evidence of voter fraud that would have changed the outcome of the election .
In other words , Barr is saying that Donald Trump lost fair and square , and it ’ s over .
But Barr also made another announcement .
Barr revealed today that he ’ s appointed John Durham as Special Counsel , meaning Durham is free to continue investigating the origins of the Trump-Russia scandal for as long as he likes .
This has scared some people .
But it ’ s actually a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that he found nothing of any substance .
He ’ s not going to magically find anything now , just because he has a different title .
This is just Barr trying to placate Trump by giving Trump the false hope that those who uncovered the Trump-Russia scandal will eventually be punished by Durham , even after Trump is gone .
But again , Durham won ’ t do any such thing , because he ’ s already made clear that his investigation is basically over .
This is just Barr trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after publicly admitting that Trump lost the election .
Some TV pundits are already using this development to try to scare us into staying tuned in , but it ’ s a non-story .

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Attorney General Bill Barr announced today that he’s found no evidence of voter fraud that would have changed the outcome of the election. In other words, Barr is saying that Donald Trump lost fair and square, and it’s over. But Barr also made another announcement.
Barr revealed today that he’s appointed John Durham as Special Counsel, meaning Durham is free to continue investigating the origins of the Trump-Russia scandal for as long as he likes. This has scared some people. But it’s actually a complete non-issue.
Durham has already made clear that he found nothing of any substance. He’s not going to magically find anything now, just because he has a different title. This is just Barr trying to placate Trump by giving Trump the false hope that those who uncovered the Trump-Russia scandal will eventually be punished by Durham, even after Trump is gone.
But again, Durham won’t do any such thing, because he’s already made clear that his investigation is basically over. This is just Barr trying to avoid getting fired by Trump today, after publicly admitting that Trump lost the election. Some TV pundits are already using this development to try to scare us into staying tuned in, but it’s a non-story.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Bill Barr’s whimpering end was a long time coming

Palmer Report has spent all year documenting how Bill Barr ’ s various henchman antics weren ’ t delivering any results for Trump , and that Barr was ultimately just a middling bumbler .
Barr tried and failed to meddle in the Flynn , Stone , Cohen , Lev , Igor , and Bannon cases .
Either Barr is totally incompetent , or he wasn ’ t trying that hard and was merely giving Trump lip service .
Sure enough , Barr has proven totally useless to Trump in the end , announcing today that he ’ s found no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outcome of the election .
Anyone who has spent the past year paying attention to the evidence , and not the pundit hype , saw Barr ’ s whimpery endgame coming a mile away .
– Dr. Birx sold us out , to curry career favor with Trump .
I have little respect for her .
But don ’ t get mad at Joe Biden just because he spoke with her today .
Birx has valuable information about what ’ s been going on with the pandemic response behind the scenes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a fool not to speak with her about it .
It doesn ’ t mean Biden is going to put Birx in charge of anything .

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Palmer Report has spent all year documenting how Bill Barr’s various henchman antics weren’t delivering any results for Trump, and that Barr was ultimately just a middling bumbler. Barr tried and failed to meddle in the Flynn, Stone, Cohen, Lev, Igor, and Bannon cases. Either Barr is totally incompetent, or he wasn’t trying that hard and was merely giving Trump lip service.
Sure enough, Barr has proven totally useless to Trump in the end, announcing today that he’s found no evidence of voter fraud that could change the outcome of the election. Anyone who has spent the past year paying attention to the evidence, and not the pundit hype, saw Barr’s whimpery endgame coming a mile away.
– Dr. Birx sold us out, to curry career favor with Trump. I have little respect for her. But don’t get mad at Joe Biden just because he spoke with her today. Birx has valuable information about what’s been going on with the pandemic response behind the scenes, which Biden needs. He’d be a fool not to speak with her about it. It doesn’t mean Biden is going to put Birx in charge of anything.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--Bill Barr just admitted it’s over for Donald Trump

When Attorney General Bill Barr went quiet during the final weeks of the election , and then remained quiet after Donald Trump lost , we took it as a sign that Barr was no longer willing to stick his neck out for Trump .
After Trump stomped his feet , Barr announced a limited “ probe ” that appeared to consist of nothing more than a press release .
At the time , we predicted that it would go absolutely nowhere .
Sure enough , Bill Barr just told the Associated Press this afternoon that he and the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud that could have changed the outcome of the 2020 election .
So what is Barr doing ?
Well , for one thing , there is no evidence that millions of votes were somehow rigged or illegal , and Barr alone couldn ’ t have simply manufactured such evidence with any shred of believability .
For that matter , if he tried , DOJ officials would surely have shot him down on it .
But why announce it like this ?
Bill Barr is going to potentially face felony obstruction of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from office .
All along , we ’ ve wondered if Barr ’ s endgame would consist of remaining loyal to Trump in the hope of getting a pardon , or if Barr would end up selfishly turning against Trump in the hope that it would create enough goodwill to save him from being criminally charged .
He appears to have chosen the latter .
Barr is not to be trusted .
As we speak , he ’ s trying to rush through a number of death penalty cases .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of monster who ’ s using his limited remaining time in power to literally kill people .
But Barr is very much trying to distance himself from Trump ’ s blast radius , so to speak .
And now Trump has a real problem , because even his Attorney General says the game is over .

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When Attorney General Bill Barr went quiet during the final weeks of the election, and then remained quiet after Donald Trump lost, we took it as a sign that Barr was no longer willing to stick his neck out for Trump. After Trump stomped his feet, Barr announced a limited “probe” that appeared to consist of nothing more than a press release. At the time, we predicted that it would go absolutely nowhere.
Sure enough, Bill Barr just told the Associated Press this afternoon that he and the Department of Justice haven’t uncovered any widespread voter fraud that could have changed the outcome of the 2020 election. So what is Barr doing?
Well, for one thing, there is no evidence that millions of votes were somehow rigged or illegal, and Barr alone couldn’t have simply manufactured such evidence with any shred of believability. For that matter, if he tried, DOJ officials would surely have shot him down on it. But why announce it like this?
Bill Barr is going to potentially face felony obstruction of justice charges once he and Trump are gone from office. All along, we’ve wondered if Barr’s endgame would consist of remaining loyal to Trump in the hope of getting a pardon, or if Barr would end up selfishly turning against Trump in the hope that it would create enough goodwill to save him from being criminally charged. He appears to have chosen the latter.
Barr is not to be trusted. As we speak, he’s trying to rush through a number of death penalty cases. That’s right, he’s the kind of monster who’s using his limited remaining time in power to literally kill people. But Barr is very much trying to distance himself from Trump’s blast radius, so to speak. And now Trump has a real problem, because even his Attorney General says the game is over.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--This is going to be fun getting used to

This is going to be fun getting used to

Here ’ s an interesting thought .
I keep finding myself , in my conversations and in my writing , having to get used to referring to Joe Biden as “ President-elect Biden ” or “ President Biden.
” It ’ s a wonderful thing to have to get used to .
And it ’ ll become more natural once he ’ s actually in office .
But I keep asking myself why it ’ s been taking me a minute .
After all , I just spent all that time fighting to make “ President Biden ” happen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presidents in my lifetime that I ’ ve liked and respected , Barack Obama and Bill Clinton , were only on the national stage for a couple years before becoming President .
In other words , there wasn ’ t that much time to get used to them not being President , before they became President .
Then there ’ s Joe Biden , someone I ’ ve been aware of for nearly my entire life .
I remember watching him as a guest panelist on “ Politically Incorrect ” when I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the better panelists on there .
I think I remember knowing who Biden was , even before high school .
The guy has always been around , and I ’ ve always liked him , but I ’ ve spent my entire life thinking of him as not being President .
Even when Biden became Vice President , it was a little different .
He was still just “ Joe ” on some level ; Obama was President .
But now here we are with a guy who ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifty years , and is just now becoming known as President Biden .
In the early days of the country , it was more commonplace for elder statesmen – not just in terms of their age , but in terms of how long they ’ d been gradually building their reputation in politics – to become President .
We ’ ve since gotten away from it .
But I can ’ t think of a better time for a respected and experienced elder statesman at the helm .
Joe Biden .
President Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun getting used to saying it .

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Here’s an interesting thought. I keep finding myself, in my conversations and in my writing, having to get used to referring to Joe Biden as “President-elect Biden” or “President Biden.” It’s a wonderful thing to have to get used to. And it’ll become more natural once he’s actually in office. But I keep asking myself why it’s been taking me a minute. After all, I just spent all that time fighting to make “President Biden” happen.
Then something hit me. The other Presidents in my lifetime that I’ve liked and respected, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, were only on the national stage for a couple years before becoming President. In other words, there wasn’t that much time to get used to them not being President, before they became President.
Then there’s Joe Biden, someone I’ve been aware of for nearly my entire life. I remember watching him as a guest panelist on “Politically Incorrect” when I was in high school, and thinking he was one of the better panelists on there. I think I remember knowing who Biden was, even before high school. The guy has always been around, and I’ve always liked him, but I’ve spent my entire life thinking of him as not being President.
Even when Biden became Vice President, it was a little different. He was still just “Joe” on some level; Obama was President. But now here we are with a guy who’s been on the national stage for nearly fifty years, and is just now becoming known as President Biden.
In the early days of the country, it was more commonplace for elder statesmen – not just in terms of their age, but in terms of how long they’d been gradually building their reputation in politics – to become President. We’ve since gotten away from it. But I can’t think of a better time for a respected and experienced elder statesman at the helm. Joe Biden. President Biden. It’s going to be fun getting used to saying it.
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palmerreport--2020-12-01--A lesson from history

A lesson from history

What does a significant percentage of the conservative element of a population , reeling in the midst of the ruins of a global pandemic and a significant struggle for power lost , do for an encore ?
That ’ s a question history asked once before , one hundred years ago , more or less .
And the answer history returned was Hitler .
Before we descend into cliche ( “ those who refuse to learn from history , ” etc . )
or disputable ( and in this case , irrelevant ) trivialities ( “ Trump is Hitler , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first take a moment to make certain clarifications .
The first is , history doesn ’ t repeat itself .
It can ’ t .
What happens instead is certain patterns from the past sometimes reappear in combinations that look familiar .
From those patterns we learn certain maxims that may or may not be true , such as never attack Moscow , or never invade Afghanistan , or ( unless your name is William ) never contemplate the invasion of England .
But it can ’ t be overlooked that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the world was in the throes of a global pandemic and Germany had just lost the Great War , what came to be universally known as World War I .
Many Germans were in denial about it .
Many Germans , particularly the conservative element , believed that Germany had surrendered from a position of strength , or at least parity .
Many Germans came to believe they had been “ stabbed in the back ” by traitors from within , that their defeat was rigged , that it was a fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken from this — and that ’ s disputable — it should be that Hitler ’ s subsequent emergence from post-war , post-pandemic Germany was made possible by a combination of a weak and vacillating Weimar Republic and the Great Depression .
History suggests , therefore , that one way we can avoid another Hitler is for us to be strong and unifying and economically sound .
True or not that seems like a good idea in any case .
We should be strong and unifying and economically sound .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be .
For one thing , we have the worldwide calamity of global warming to deal with .
For another , since the pendulum between conservatives in power and liberals in power seems to swing from one side to the other with tedious regularity , that doesn ’ t make the swing back inevitable .
Perhaps we can stop it from swinging back permanently .
Now that we own the Executive branch of government and , should we win a majority in the Senate , I submit that it ’ s time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean that in the Ben Franklin sense .
We have a Republic again , if we can keep it .
And the last thing Republicans want , notwithstanding the irony of their name , is a Republic .
One way we can achieve this is for each of us to stay involved .
I sense that , like me , many of you are breathing a sigh of relief .
That ’ s a good thing .
We ’ ve earned it .
But one thing we must not do is return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate memories recollections of the horrors of life under an American fascist regime .
Don ’ t let go of that memory .
Stay involved .
Hypervigilance is the price of freedom .
There are many ways we can stay involved .
We can fight for social justice by supporting causes and candidates consistent with enlightened beliefs in tolerance , equality and responsible environmental action .
We can talk and write in the name of these causes .
Those of you who are young enough could contemplate a run for public office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a servant for public good and a defender of the weak and the voiceless .
Nothing less is acceptable .
Again , if history has anything to teach us , a man like Adolf Hitler was made possible by a government of vacillating and corrupt weaklings without a moral compass .
So for this current American administration to succeed , it must be strong and certain and virtuous .
And we can do our part to make sure it stays that way .
Donald Trump was bad enough , but Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history has perhaps given us a formula for making another Hitler , and Trump has left behind a blueprint of corruption and self-dealing to alert such a person that it is possible .
Let ’ s make sure that doesn ’ t happen .
Let ’ s make sure we never forget the horror of having to endure a president like Donald Trump .
Let ’ s make sure that , if anything at all can be learned from history , this time let ’ s learn that lesson very , very well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends , stay safe .

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What does a significant percentage of the conservative element of a population, reeling in the midst of the ruins of a global pandemic and a significant struggle for power lost, do for an encore? That’s a question history asked once before, one hundred years ago, more or less. And the answer history returned was Hitler.
Before we descend into cliche (“those who refuse to learn from history,” etc.) or disputable (and in this case, irrelevant) trivialities (“Trump is Hitler,” etc.), let’s first take a moment to make certain clarifications. The first is, history doesn’t repeat itself. It can’t. What happens instead is certain patterns from the past sometimes reappear in combinations that look familiar. From those patterns we learn certain maxims that may or may not be true, such as never attack Moscow, or never invade Afghanistan, or (unless your name is William) never contemplate the invasion of England.
But it can’t be overlooked that one hundred years ago, more or less, the world was in the throes of a global pandemic and Germany had just lost the Great War, what came to be universally known as World War I. Many Germans were in denial about it. Many Germans, particularly the conservative element, believed that Germany had surrendered from a position of strength, or at least parity. Many Germans came to believe they had been “stabbed in the back” by traitors from within, that their defeat was rigged, that it was a fraud.
If a lesson from history can be taken from this — and that’s disputable — it should be that Hitler’s subsequent emergence from post-war, post-pandemic Germany was made possible by a combination of a weak and vacillating Weimar Republic and the Great Depression. History suggests, therefore, that one way we can avoid another Hitler is for us to be strong and unifying and economically sound.
True or not that seems like a good idea in any case. We should be strong and unifying and economically sound. There’s no reason why we can’t be. For one thing, we have the worldwide calamity of global warming to deal with. For another, since the pendulum between conservatives in power and liberals in power seems to swing from one side to the other with tedious regularity, that doesn’t make the swing back inevitable. Perhaps we can stop it from swinging back permanently.
Now that we own the Executive branch of government and, should we win a majority in the Senate, I submit that it’s time that we keep it. And I mean that in the Ben Franklin sense. We have a Republic again, if we can keep it. And the last thing Republicans want, notwithstanding the irony of their name, is a Republic.
One way we can achieve this is for each of us to stay involved. I sense that, like me, many of you are breathing a sigh of relief. That’s a good thing. We’ve earned it. But one thing we must not do is return to normal. We now have in our immediate memories recollections of the horrors of life under an American fascist regime. Don’t let go of that memory. Stay involved. Hypervigilance is the price of freedom.
There are many ways we can stay involved. We can fight for social justice by supporting causes and candidates consistent with enlightened beliefs in tolerance, equality and responsible environmental action. We can talk and write in the name of these causes. Those of you who are young enough could contemplate a run for public office, provided that your overweening motive is to be a servant for public good and a defender of the weak and the voiceless. Nothing less is acceptable.
Again, if history has anything to teach us, a man like Adolf Hitler was made possible by a government of vacillating and corrupt weaklings without a moral compass. So for this current American administration to succeed, it must be strong and certain and virtuous. And we can do our part to make sure it stays that way.
Donald Trump was bad enough, but Trump was no Hitler. In any case, history has perhaps given us a formula for making another Hitler, and Trump has left behind a blueprint of corruption and self-dealing to alert such a person that it is possible. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen. Let’s make sure we never forget the horror of having to endure a president like Donald Trump. Let’s make sure that, if anything at all can be learned from history, this time let’s learn that lesson very, very well. And, as ever, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, stay safe.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-01--Great news for Joe Biden

Great news for Joe Biden

Despite Donald Trump ’ s claims of being everyone ’ s favorite president , he managed to spend four years in the Oval Office with his average approval rating never once peaking above 50 % .
While presidential approval ratings are rarely ever stable , his abysmal 42 % approval was about the most stable thing in his administration .
Even the COVID pandemic didn ’ t put him over the top , and his ratings bounced back after about a week , since he could barely even pretend to care about the crisis .
It ’ s been awhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose approval ratings weren ’ t underwater – so today was something of a big deal when President-elect Biden scored 55 % favorability in the latest Gallup poll – the highest polling he ’ s had in two years , and roughly the same approval rating President Obama had in 2016 .
This may not seem like a big deal – but it ’ s important for a few reasons .
Biden ’ s numbers are growing with two critical groups : an increase in both independents and Republicans , which means that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing traction – in fact , enough that it ’ s affecting his own approval rating for the worse , and we might see it drop further than the low 40s before he leaves office .
The other good thing is that Biden ’ s approval rating – roughly what it was just before he entered the 2020 race for president , is likely boosted by his cabinet picks and will make it more difficult for Republicans to block any or force them from contention .
This process , however , will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the campaigns of Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to help them win on January 5 so we can retake the Senate .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Despite Donald Trump’s claims of being everyone’s favorite president, he managed to spend four years in the Oval Office with his average approval rating never once peaking above 50%. While presidential approval ratings are rarely ever stable, his abysmal 42% approval was about the most stable thing in his administration. Even the COVID pandemic didn’t put him over the top, and his ratings bounced back after about a week, since he could barely even pretend to care about the crisis. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a president whose approval ratings weren’t underwater – so today was something of a big deal when President-elect Biden scored 55% favorability in the latest Gallup poll – the highest polling he’s had in two years, and roughly the same approval rating President Obama had in 2016.
This may not seem like a big deal – but it’s important for a few reasons. Biden’s numbers are growing with two critical groups: an increase in both independents and Republicans, which means that Trump’s fraud delusion is rapidly losing traction – in fact, enough that it’s affecting his own approval rating for the worse, and we might see it drop further than the low 40s before he leaves office.
The other good thing is that Biden’s approval rating – roughly what it was just before he entered the 2020 race for president, is likely boosted by his cabinet picks and will make it more difficult for Republicans to block any or force them from contention. This process, however, will be much easier if we volunteer and donate to the campaigns of Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to help them win on January 5 so we can retake the Senate.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-01--How President Joe Biden gets his nominees past the Senate

After Senate Republicans were mostly muted during President-elect Joe Biden ’ s initial rounds of cabinet and administration nominees , some of them are now openly grumbling about Biden ’ s more recent picks .
It ’ s raised questions about how , or if , Biden can get his picks approved .
First , if the Democrats win the Senate runoffs in Georgia , they ’ ll have control of the Senate , and it ’ ll be a moot issue .
But if the Democrats lose the runoffs , Mitch McConnell will remain as Senate Majority Leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Biden nominees get confirmed – except he won ’ t .
As with all things , this comes down to math .
Even if the Republicans win the runoffs , they ’ ll have a 52-48 majority , with the Democrats holding the VP tiebreaker .
This means that if just two Republican Senators decide to vote in favor of any given Biden nominee , that nominee will be confirmed .
In other words , each nomination will come down to the likes of Mitt Romney , Susan Collins , and Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do the right thing .
But they can be trusted to do whatever they selfishly think is best for their own careers , whether it ’ s what McConnell wants or not .
These three usually play to the middle , so they likely won ’ t want to be seen as obstructionists , which means they ’ ll probably end up voting in favor of most of Biden ’ s nominees .
Perhaps they ’ ll make a point of rejecting one or two particularly liberal or combative Biden nominees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll be calling the shots , not McConnell .
McConnell may be threatening to automatically shoot all of Biden ’ s nominees , but he simply doesn ’ t have that power .
All that said , we definitely don ’ t want President Biden having to select his nominees based on whether he thinks people like Romney and Murkowski will confirm them .
And while Biden can appoint his nominees on an Acting basis to avoid confirmation hearings , that opens up other issues and potential legal challenges .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate runoffs in Georgia , which will mean that Biden can have any nominee that the Senate Democrats agree on .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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After Senate Republicans were mostly muted during President-elect Joe Biden’s initial rounds of cabinet and administration nominees, some of them are now openly grumbling about Biden’s more recent picks. It’s raised questions about how, or if, Biden can get his picks approved.
First, if the Democrats win the Senate runoffs in Georgia, they’ll have control of the Senate, and it’ll be a moot issue. But if the Democrats lose the runoffs, Mitch McConnell will remain as Senate Majority Leader, and he’ll have control over which Biden nominees get confirmed – except he won’t.
As with all things, this comes down to math. Even if the Republicans win the runoffs, they’ll have a 52-48 majority, with the Democrats holding the VP tiebreaker. This means that if just two Republican Senators decide to vote in favor of any given Biden nominee, that nominee will be confirmed.
In other words, each nomination will come down to the likes of Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski. They can not be trusted to do the right thing. But they can be trusted to do whatever they selfishly think is best for their own careers, whether it’s what McConnell wants or not. These three usually play to the middle, so they likely won’t want to be seen as obstructionists, which means they’ll probably end up voting in favor of most of Biden’s nominees. Perhaps they’ll make a point of rejecting one or two particularly liberal or combative Biden nominees, just to play both sides. But they’ll be calling the shots, not McConnell. McConnell may be threatening to automatically shoot all of Biden’s nominees, but he simply doesn’t have that power.
All that said, we definitely don’t want President Biden having to select his nominees based on whether he thinks people like Romney and Murkowski will confirm them. And while Biden can appoint his nominees on an Acting basis to avoid confirmation hearings, that opens up other issues and potential legal challenges. So let’s make sure we win the Senate runoffs in Georgia, which will mean that Biden can have any nominee that the Senate Democrats agree on.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-12-02--Here’s the crazy part

Here’s the crazy part

The crazy part is when you learn that Donald Trump engaged in a bribery for pardon scheme with his criminal pal , and you have to ask which one .
We know that the person ’ s name is five to six letters long and ends with an “ S ” but Trump has so many criminal pals , that still doesn ’ t fully narrow it down .
This is like Wheel of Fortune , but with criminals .
Instead of buying a vowel , you ’ re buying a pardon .
That ’ s right , based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mystery person ’ s name appears to be five to six characters long .
It might be the first time in the Trump era that character matters .
– A few days ago , Donald Trump stepped in it by having a televised meltdown at a tiny desk instead of the Resolute Desk .
Trump has done so many embarrassing things since then , the desk incident was in danger of being forgotten .
But now Trump is ranting about the Resolute Desk again , thus ensuring everyone remembers his embarrassing meltdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it sure isn ’ t helping him .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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The crazy part is when you learn that Donald Trump engaged in a bribery for pardon scheme with his criminal pal, and you have to ask which one. We know that the person’s name is five to six letters long and ends with an “S” but Trump has so many criminal pals, that still doesn’t fully narrow it down. This is like Wheel of Fortune, but with criminals. Instead of buying a vowel, you’re buying a pardon.
That’s right, based on the length of the redacted word, the mystery person’s name appears to be five to six characters long. It might be the first time in the Trump era that character matters.
– A few days ago, Donald Trump stepped in it by having a televised meltdown at a tiny desk instead of the Resolute Desk. Trump has done so many embarrassing things since then, the desk incident was in danger of being forgotten. But now Trump is ranting about the Resolute Desk again, thus ensuring everyone remembers his embarrassing meltdown. Whatever game this guy is playing, it sure isn’t helping him.
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palmerreport--2020-12-02--What really happened to Bill Barr

What really happened to Bill Barr

It ’ s not difficult to figure out what likely happened with Bill Barr .
Around September or October , he must have figured out what anyone paying close attention knew : Donald Trump was so far behind , he had little or no remaining chance of winning reelection , even if he tried to rig it .
If there was nothing that Barr could do to help Trump win , then all Barr could do was put himself in the best position possible for after Trump lost .
So Barr decided to simply go quiet , get off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t seen by the general public as having played a role in Trump ’ s most egregious election tampering schemes .
Once Barr figured out that Trump was going to lose , he knew he could end up being charged with felony obstruction of justice once Trump was gone .
He wanted to reduce his odds of that happening , so he simply tried to get out of history ’ s way , and hoped that he ’ d be forgotten by the time the dust settled and the post-Trump DOJ decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only other option would have been to hang in there with Trump all the way to the end , propping up Trump ’ s phony election conspiracies , and hoping it would be enough to earn a pardon from Trump .
But Barr appears to have decided that it either wasn ’ t worth the additional criminal exposure required to try to earn that pardon , or that he simply didn ’ t trust Trump to pardon him in the end .
When Barr announced on Tuesday that Trump lost fair and square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly trying to distance himself from Trump ’ s criminal endgame .
This isn ’ t the best plan , of course .
Barr ’ s strategy for staying out of prison is now basically “ please don ’ t hurt me.
” But nearly every Trump regime scheme was based on the presumption that Trump would win reelection .
When it became clear that he was going to lose , all the good options disappeared .
Now Barr is left trying to minimize how ugly this gets for him , because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try .

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It’s not difficult to figure out what likely happened with Bill Barr. Around September or October, he must have figured out what anyone paying close attention knew: Donald Trump was so far behind, he had little or no remaining chance of winning reelection, even if he tried to rig it.
If there was nothing that Barr could do to help Trump win, then all Barr could do was put himself in the best position possible for after Trump lost. So Barr decided to simply go quiet, get off the stage, and make sure he wasn’t seen by the general public as having played a role in Trump’s most egregious election tampering schemes.
Once Barr figured out that Trump was going to lose, he knew he could end up being charged with felony obstruction of justice once Trump was gone. He wanted to reduce his odds of that happening, so he simply tried to get out of history’s way, and hoped that he’d be forgotten by the time the dust settled and the post-Trump DOJ decided whom to indict.
Barr’s only other option would have been to hang in there with Trump all the way to the end, propping up Trump’s phony election conspiracies, and hoping it would be enough to earn a pardon from Trump. But Barr appears to have decided that it either wasn’t worth the additional criminal exposure required to try to earn that pardon, or that he simply didn’t trust Trump to pardon him in the end.
When Barr announced on Tuesday that Trump lost fair and square, it was presumably his way of truly trying to distance himself from Trump’s criminal endgame. This isn’t the best plan, of course. Barr’s strategy for staying out of prison is now basically “please don’t hurt me.” But nearly every Trump regime scheme was based on the presumption that Trump would win reelection. When it became clear that he was going to lose, all the good options disappeared. Now Barr is left trying to minimize how ugly this gets for him, because it’s all he has left to try.
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palmerreport--2020-12-02--Donald Trump has completely berserk meltdown after pardon scheme goes awry

– Donald Trump just tweeted “ Pardon investigation is Fake News !
” Well okay then .
At this point Trump can ’ t even figure out what position he ’ s trying to take .
Is he saying the pardon scandal never happened ?
Is he saying the DOJ criminal case doesn ’ t exist ?
If anything , given Trump ’ s penchant for oddly specific denials , this can probably be taken as a confession that not only did the scandal happen , Trump personally knew about it .
The truth will come out .
– Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. military budget unless Congress adds a provision that allows him to punish Twitter for the mean things that people are tweeting about him .
No really , he ’ s become this pathetic .
Whatever .
He doesn ’ t have that kind of muscle .
He ’ l have to cave .
Trump ’ s life is over anyway .
Enjoy prison , Donald !
– Do innocent people tend to seek out preemptive pardons ?
It ’ s important to keep in mind that the courts long ago ruled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilt under the law .
Gerald Ford harped on this for years after he pardoned Richard Nixon .
So if Trump ’ s family members accept pardons from him , they ’ re confessing to every crime listed in the pardon .

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– Donald Trump just tweeted “Pardon investigation is Fake News!” Well okay then. At this point Trump can’t even figure out what position he’s trying to take. Is he saying the pardon scandal never happened? Is he saying the DOJ criminal case doesn’t exist? If anything, given Trump’s penchant for oddly specific denials, this can probably be taken as a confession that not only did the scandal happen, Trump personally knew about it. The truth will come out.
– Trump also just threatened to veto the entire U.S. military budget unless Congress adds a provision that allows him to punish Twitter for the mean things that people are tweeting about him. No really, he’s become this pathetic. Whatever. He doesn’t have that kind of muscle. He’l have to cave. Trump’s life is over anyway. Enjoy prison, Donald!
– Do innocent people tend to seek out preemptive pardons? It’s important to keep in mind that the courts long ago ruled that accepting a pardon is a confession of guilt under the law. Gerald Ford harped on this for years after he pardoned Richard Nixon. So if Trump’s family members accept pardons from him, they’re confessing to every crime listed in the pardon.
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Rick Gates???

We ’ re all still trying to figure out the redacted name in the DOJ criminal case exposing a bribery-for-pardon scheme .
The name of the person seeking clemency appears to be 5-6 letters long , and ends in an “ S ” based on the redactions .
Some eagle eyed observers have pointed out that Rick Gates fits the profile .
Another clue is that the Feds have already raided someone ’ s office and seized dozens of electronic devices .
Wendy Seigelman pointed out awhile back that when the Feds raided Elliott Broidy ’ s office , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it – Rick Gates .
This doesn ’ t prove that it ’ s Rick Gates .
In fact there are reasons to question if it ’ s him .
For instance , thanks to his plea deal , Gates was only sentenced to 45 days in prison , which he ended up serving at home due to the pandemic anyway .
Is this someone who tries to buy a pardon ?
Gates isn ’ t exactly someone who could afford to buy a pardon anyway , unless someone else bought it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth will come out eventually .

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We’re all still trying to figure out the redacted name in the DOJ criminal case exposing a bribery-for-pardon scheme. The name of the person seeking clemency appears to be 5-6 letters long, and ends in an “S” based on the redactions. Some eagle eyed observers have pointed out that Rick Gates fits the profile.
Another clue is that the Feds have already raided someone’s office and seized dozens of electronic devices. Wendy Seigelman pointed out awhile back that when the Feds raided Elliott Broidy’s office, they seized records related to – you guessed it – Rick Gates.
This doesn’t prove that it’s Rick Gates. In fact there are reasons to question if it’s him. For instance, thanks to his plea deal, Gates was only sentenced to 45 days in prison, which he ended up serving at home due to the pandemic anyway. Is this someone who tries to buy a pardon? Gates isn’t exactly someone who could afford to buy a pardon anyway, unless someone else bought it for him. In any case, the truth will come out eventually.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.