Trump abruptly ends press conference after being asked if he'll pardon Manafort

[workinclasszero]

Trump abruptly ends press conference after being asked if he'll pardon Manafort
12:53 p.m. ET

Still, the charges against Manafort — which include conspiracy against the United States — are serious. Additionally, there is excitement among Trump's critics that Manafort could potentially "flip" and out other Trump associates in order to cut a better deal for himself.

Trump, on the other hand, could potentially fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller — or pardon his old campaign chairman.

On Tuesday, when asked point blank if he would pardon Manafort, Trump didn't answer. Instead, he abruptly ended the conversation.

(Short video at link)

http://theweek.com/speedreads/734371/trump-abruptly-ends-press-conference-after-being-asked-hell-pardon-manafort

[C_U_L8R]

1. I want to play poker with THAT guy !!!

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. The problem is this isnt 1973 or whenever it was Nixon resigned.

As disgusting as most of those republicans were even back then, they were not going to go so far as to allow what Nixon did ONCE it was known, if it had been kept quiet, sure, but not once known.

Why?

Because back then most Americans agreed that certain actions werent OK, I mean imagine if Nixon was guilty of treason!! Well, he was but they didnt know it, they just thought he was guilty of being the slime ball he was as in what happened during the campaign.

Today, well today most republicans are OK with lying, stealing, cheating and yes, treason.

[Dustlawyer]

17. but only if it is another Republican!

[BigmanPigman]

3. That is NOT good news.

Was he playing the "con man" BS...'You will see in two weeks, two weeks'" or was he really unable to hide his so-called thinking at this time?

[Fred Sanders]

4. ...and turned a whiter shade of pale...orange. What a coward. Sad.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Hey orange one, here's a pro tip:

That question ain't gonna go away until you answer it.

[workinclasszero]

6. Twitler evading the question

is an answer in itself huh?

Like...he's thinking about it.

[OnDoutside]

7. Preet Bharara seems to think Mueller can get Schneiderman to prosecute this, or an offshoot, in

New York, thus meaning Trump can't pardon Manafort.

[workinclasszero]

8. Right

As I understand it a pardon doesn't get you off state charges.

[OnDoutside]

10. Exactly. We've heard all this before, but Preet was the only one in the last 24 hours to reference

it, for these particular charges.

[SeattleVet]

12. That was a point someone made ...

a big part of Manafort's indictment is about tax cheating. If he cheated on the federal taxes, he almost certainly did the same on his NY taxes. This gives NY state more fuel for their investigation. Even if pardoned on the federal charges, tRump can't do a thing about the state stuff.

[Thrill]

9. Coward. Go back and get on Twitter

where you don't after answer tough questions.

[lpbk2713]

11. Sorry Donnie. But that won't help.

It's only going to get worse from here on out. Your run is over shithead.

[struggle4progress]

13. "Shh! It's supposed to be a surprise!"

[Demtexan]

14. Keep on walking.

Maybe should not have had all those meetings at Trump tower.

[Kirk Lover]

15. That's one of his classic moves...like in the interview where FELIX SATER is mentioned and he

literally does an instant, abrupt, road runner exit. It's really going to be wonderful holiday season and a hopeful and history making new year.

[SunSeeker]

16. Yes, he freezes any time Felix Sater is mentioned.

I bet Sater has a copy of the pee pee tape.

[SusanaMontana41]

18. The problem with pardoning Manafort

is that then New York will get a crack at him. 45 can do nothing about that.

[Honeycombe8]

20. I hope so. This guy can't walk. Of course...a pardon means admission of guilt, and conviction.nt

[The_jackalope]

21. Doesn't a pardon also mean he can't plead the Fifth?

At least not on questions related to the crimes he was pardoned for?

[Honeycombe8]

22. The pardon comes after testimony, I think. So...no more testimony. nt

[Honeycombe8]

19. Yep. He and Manafort have struck a deal. He didn't know about Papadopoulos, to get to him first.nt