would this be possible?

[flyingfysh]

There is a lot of speculation that Trump may be issuing several pardons soon. Could something like this be in the works?

Suppose Trump issues a blanket pardon for Cohen. Then there would be no federal case against Cohen, and then the Cohen people could try to take back all the documents and tapes seized in the FBI raid. Then Cohen could promptly destroy everything before a state gets a chance to try to get the documents. This would keep investigators from hearing what Cohen and Trump may have been discussing.

Could the Trump people be plotting something like this?

[manor321]

1. Only Cohen

A Cohen pardon would only protect Cohen (and only for Federal crimes). It wouldn't protect others that Cohen has knowledge of. In fact, he would no longer be able to plead the fifth amendment.

[unblock]

5. Not clear that he couldn't invoke the 5th.

First, a statement could incriminate himself in state crimes.

Second, a statement could incriminate himself in a federal crime not covered by the pardon

Third, a statement could incriminate himself in a crime that occurred after the pardon (obstruction of justice or destruction of evidence, e.g.)

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

2. One things for sure

hypotheticals like this make me wonder why you'd ask. Hypotheticals give the enemy strategy and it's unhealthy in Democratic Forums to give the gop anything. Including answers.

[unblock]

3. I guarantee you they've already thought about this one

No way it hasn't occurred to them

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

4. Really?

You guarantee it? You give them wayyyy too much credit. We need to stop giving the defenseless a defense...on blogs...on tv...and everywhere. They are an enemy of the state. Pretty clear. It's UN American.

[unblock]

6. They're already advertising pardons.

In any event, I don't think it would work. Cohen likely isn't the only target, so they don't have to return the evidence just yet....