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2016 Postmortem

MineralMan

(147,578 posts)

25. Actually, no, he couldn't.

Reply to Joe941 (Reply #24)

Fri Dec 2, 2016, 02:26 PM

Dec 2016

In the first place, there would have to be an investigation. Then, a grand jury would have to hear that evidence. You see, only a grand jury can indict. The President can only suggest to his Attorney General that an investigation should take place. Beyond that, his role is nil. There's a reason for that, actually. The President has to maintain distance from federal prosecutions. That has been established for a very long time.

So, President Obama could say, "Maybe you should investigate Donald Trump in the following areas." That would be the extent of his participation, and the Attorney General would push back hard at any further participation.

Again, I don't think you understand how these things work.

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Highlight:

What can Obama do? [View all] kentuck Dec 2016 OP

"We are in a constitutional crisis" handmade34 Dec 2016 #1

What is the crisis that we are in BigBadDem Dec 2016 #14

Obama blew it Abouttime Dec 2016 #2

Riiight EffieBlack Dec 2016 #3

This! mcar Dec 2016 #4

Agreed! IMHO Obama played more than his part to elect Hillary NWCorona Dec 2016 #5

Hillary, The Dems, The Obamas, Biden And Even Bill.... global1 Dec 2016 #8

They didn't run against the Republican Party? Apparently you missed much of the campaign EffieBlack Dec 2016 #33

Then How Do You Explain How The Repugs Hit The.... global1 Dec 2016 #35

We took on the Republicans EffieBlack Dec 2016 #36

She Did Win The Popular Vote - But We Dems Lost Big.... global1 Dec 2016 #37

yup Afromania Dec 2016 #31

You are accusing President Obama of commiting treason libtodeath Dec 2016 #6

In hindsight, did you believe this after the election...? kentuck Dec 2016 #7

Obama should have indicted Trump for something. We know he is a criminal! Joe941 Dec 2016 #9

I would agree that the present Justice Department has been very quiet... kentuck Dec 2016 #10

Presidents cannot indict anyone. That is not in their power. MineralMan Dec 2016 #12

I'm sure he could have pulled some strings under the table and got the job done! Joe941 Dec 2016 #24

Actually, no, he couldn't. MineralMan Dec 2016 #25

Now most of us haven't read the constitution? MFM008 Dec 2016 #28

Is that a trick question? TwilightZone Dec 2016 #30

And then he would have been Trump. EffieBlack Dec 2016 #34

Barack Obama is President of the United States Txbluedog Dec 2016 #13

not well thought out n/t RoccoR2 Dec 2016 #21

ok Afromania Dec 2016 #32

obama has nothing he can do...conservatives intent is to destroy the name obama the same way they beachbum bob Dec 2016 #11

What "Constitutional crisis"? sarisataka Dec 2016 #15

If he is not adhering to our Constitution? kentuck Dec 2016 #16

How is he not adhering sarisataka Dec 2016 #17

You cannot wait until you are President to refuse to follow the laws... kentuck Dec 2016 #18

OK then sarisataka Dec 2016 #19

Release the classified information about the Trump-Russian connection that the Democratic jalan48 Dec 2016 #20

This and DeminPennswoods Dec 2016 #22

Could Obama somehow disable / eliminate the nuclear button before the handover? Dems to Win Dec 2016 #23

Screwing with a nuclear code will give you life in jail yeoman6987 Dec 2016 #26

take a nap? has the man not already done enough? La Lioness Priyanka Dec 2016 #27

nothing Afromania Dec 2016 #29