Several days ago I spent time with a gentleman I like and respect. He is highly educated and highly intelligent – a good person in every meaningful way.
During our time together he said – not trying to start a political argument, but in passing – “Did you hear that now Trump is looking to pardon everybody? Can you believe that guy?”
Given this person’s status in our lives, I let it go. But, in case you are unaware, I would like to show you where he got this “news” – and how fake it is.
From John Hinderaker’s article at powerlineblog.com:
PARDON ME
The Trump pardon story exemplifies the frustrations of President Trump’s first six months in office. It began with a story published Thursday evening by the Washington Post that said Trump has been talking with his advisers about his power to grant pardons:
Trump has asked his advisers about his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the probe, according to one of those people. A second person said Trump’s lawyers have been discussing the president’s pardoning powers among themselves.
One adviser said the president has simply expressed a curiosity in understanding the reach of his pardoning authority, as well as the limits of Mueller’s investigation.
As usual, the Post’s story was based entirely on anonymous sources: “people familiar with the effort,” “one of those people,” “[a] second person,” “a close adviser.” Trump’s presidency has been bedeviled by leaks on almost a daily basis, and not only from Obama holdovers in the intelligence agencies. These leaks apparently came from the White House.
Still, the Post has little credibility when it comes to President Trump, and the only person quoted by name in the Post’s article (a quote that was added after the story appeared on Thursday evening), Trump lawyer John Dowd, described it as “not true” and “nonsense.”
If a man this intelligent and this educated can be programmed to simply accept such “news” because a supposedly credible source put it up, that is a tragedy.
And every bit as much of a tragedy is how far the formerly credible venue has degenerated, for it to publish this kind of crap.
One day the gentleman I am referring to might realize as much – realize that he is being played by people with an agenda. If that ever happens, it won’t be a happy day for him. And it won’t be a happy day for the purveyors of the fake news they have filled him with either.
Reporter: Do you know if President Trump is looking into pardoning everyone in the White House?
White House Spokesman: I am not aware of that.
Reporter: So you aren’t saying that he isn’t?
White House Spokesman: No I’m not, I just don’t know.
Reporter talking to camera: So there we have it, President Trump is going to pardon everyone.