SIGN UP FOR OUR Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th president of the United States from 1969 until 1974 and the only president to resign from the position. Leading up to this and amid the throws of the Watergate Investigation, John Deal, the White House testimony proclaiming a “cancer on the presidency” by the revelation of secret tapes by Alexander Butterfield and Peter W. Rodino Jr, D-NJ, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee oversaw the impeachment proceedings against Richard M. Nixon which eventually led to his resignation.
Nixon repeatedly proclaimed that any investigation was a ‘witch-hunt’, that the ‘press’ was an enemy of the people but as president “I must put the interests of the American people first”. As of noon on the following day, he resigned. As a consequence, the then appointed (not elected) vice president, under the 25th amendment assumed the office. As a part of his resignation speech, he claimed that he was ‘not a crook’ although there are lingering doubts. Rather than face impeachment, an inevitability in the House and surely a conviction in the Senate and virtually little popular support, the die was cast.
According the Wikipedia, the pardon of Richard Nixon (Proclamation 4311 ) on September 8, 1974, by President Gerald Ford granted Nixon, Ford’s predecessor as president, a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States while president. This was within the constitution authority granted to the president. Personally, it was fitting to put behind a very dark era and should act as a reminder to all of us that the Congress must take serious oversight of the office. The nation, as a whole survived and after a few years was back to normalcy.
Resignation of Office:
The fourth and to me, the more logical exit strategy for Donald Trump is a brokered resignation. Several strategies come to mind and are well within a potential scheme.
Bear in mind that any and all Federal crimes can be pardoned that may have been committed during Trumps term in office, bit Not any committed prior to inauguration or those for which the statuette of limitations have expired. Five years is the guideline except for certain crimes which may extend to ten years. No two legal scholars agree if the clock is running while in office or if there is a moratorium for this time span. Remember, all of this only applies to Federal crimes, such as those charges produced by the Southern District of New York, the Eastern District of Virginia and lesser known federal districts throughout the US. A president or any other person can be pardoned for crimes committed in State Courts, (such as New York or Washington DC).
On to the scenarios…
• Option 1.
The poll numbers are devastating, reelection is all but impossible, the Mueller Investigation raises so many questions that even Fox News can deny the obvious. Congressional support diminishes and ultimate defeat in November. Is assured. Begin the 3-card Monty.
Prior to election day, Trump resigns leaving Mike Pence as president. In a well coordinated (and in a behind the scenes deal), Trump, like Nixon is given a blanket pardon for all crimes in office. Whether this would also include Donald Jr, Ivanka and Jared remains but very likely. Again, no state crimes are covered under this umbrella pardon for either Trump or Trump.Org. At the National Committee, it gets complicated, even chaotic but Pence is the incumbent and all that can be done is support him. Under any circumstances, he would remain president until a swearing in ceremony the following January.
• Option 2.
Trump continues to run but if defeated. I don’t place a lot of faith in Trump even risking a defeat but who can predict this outcome at this early a stage. Either way, he is still president until January and he could still resign under the above scenario. Same outcome, same pardons but Pence only hold office until January.
• Option 3.
Prior to a November election, and in light of all the potential legal matters which will Always include state charges such as corruption, abuse of power, RICO act and fraud. There is a long list and they are not going away, unless…
Prior to November 2020, Trump agrees not to seek reelection, Trum.Org ceases to do business in the state of New York, agrees not to seek any elected office in New York or any other state which becomes signatory to this agreement, divests himself of campaign involvement and/or charities. Also, Congress suspends any and all indictments, the Mueller probe remains sealed.
Under this hypothetical, Trump fades into history and the United States can begin to heal in spite of the damage both domestically and Internationally which has been done.
