An idea that's time has come. And not the only one.

[berg80]

-Automatic Hatch Act penalties. The Hatch Act generally prohibits federal employees from engaging in “political activity” on federal property, while “on duty,” when “wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee,” or when using government property, such as vehicles, computers, printers, copiers and telephones. Several Trump administration officials have been alleged to have violated the act. Most notably, the Office of Special Counsel determined that Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway serially violated the act and recommended Conway’s firing for the violations. More recently, the president’s renomination convention was rife with apparent Hatch Act violations.

However, the provisions of the Hatch Act are not self-enforcing, and no outside watchdog organization has standing to enforce its provisions. The act could be amended to automatically terminate the employment of anyone found by the Office of Special Counsel (the body charged with review of Hatch Act violations) to have violated the act’s provisions on multiple occasions while providing them with a forum for post-termination judicial review. It could also, more punitively, be amended to provide for criminal sanctions.

Barely a day goes by without a member of the regime violating the Hatch Act.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Our issues preceded Trump.

Not this level of defiant abuse and criminality, not this blatant contempt for the rule of law and democratic norms – again, unique to Trump and the GOP.

Indeed, even the crimes of Nixon pale in comparison, Trump is far worse than Watergate.

And it’s true that this corruption, criminality, and contempt for the rule of law preceded Trump – for more than 50 years Republicans have worked to undermine our democratic institutions and the political process, advancing an agenda to promote fear and hatred and divide the American people; Trump is the product of that GOP.

Florida governor declares Muslim civil rights group a terrorist organization

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated one of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups in the U.S. a “foreign terrorist organization,” following a similar step by Texas last month.

apnews.com

 

[pknopp]

Two party goons will NEVER get this.

It makes no sense to me.

 

[pknopp]

Not this level of defiant abuse and criminality, not this blatant contempt for the rule of law and democratic norms – again, unique to Trump and the GOP.

Indeed, even the crimes of Nixon pale in comparison, Trump is far worse than Watergate.

And it’s true that this corruption, criminality, and contempt for the rule of law preceded Trump – for more than 50 years Republicans have worked to undermine our democratic institutions and the political process, advancing an agenda to promote fear and hatred and divide the American people; Trump is the product of that GOP.

Florida governor declares Muslim civil rights group a terrorist organization

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated one of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups in the U.S. a “foreign terrorist organization,” following a similar step by Texas last month.

apnews.com

Anything you refuse to condemn your guy for will only get worse with the next.

 

[berg80]

Many of the Democrats pardons were every bit as corrupt.

There has never been anything done by a D prez equivalent to this.

Proud Boys and Oath Keepers among over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by Trump​

Proud Boys and Oath Keepers among over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by Trump

Fourteen members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are among those whose sentences were commuted.

www.bbc.com

 

[pknopp]

There has never been anything done by a D prez equivalent to this.

Proud Boys and Oath Keepers among over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by Trump​

Proud Boys and Oath Keepers among over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by Trump

Fourteen members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are among those whose sentences were commuted.

www.bbc.com

Again equal is a lousy argument. Wrong is wrong.

 

[georgephillip]

Repairing the Rule of Law: An Agenda for Post-Trump Reform​

-Pardon reform. There can be little doubt of two things. First, as currently constructed, the president’s pardon power is nearly absolute. Second, President Trump’s use of the pardon power has transgressed the Founders’ expectations. Indeed, the idea that a president might pardon his own criminal confederates (as is arguably the case with Roger Stone) is exactly why George Mason opposed the pardon power altogether. At some point, Congress might give serious consideration to a constitutional amendment that, for example, makes pardons illegal for individuals personally known to the president and makes the misuse of the power judicially reviewable.

Repairing the Rule of Law: An Agenda for Post-Trump Reform

What should be done in a post-Trump world to restore the rule of law?

www.lawfaremedia.org

This article was written near the end of trump 1.0. Nothing has come of it. A fact that's proven to be a colossal mistake. Perhaps excused by the belief trump's political career was over after he launched a failed plot to overturn the 2020 election.

Clearly, as evidenced by events that have taken place during trump 2.0, the prez's absolute pardon power either needs dramatic reform or a constitutional amendment to end it. It isn't the only thing badly in need of reform. The most important among them, IMO, being........

-Reform of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act to prevent perpetual “acting” appointments.
Redefining “emergency” authority to limit such declarations generally.
-Enhanced inspectors general protection.
-Overturn Franklin v. Massachusetts.
-Define emoluments violations and create a right of action.
-Expediting judicial review of congressional demands for records in relation to oversight and impeachment.

Your link (from 2020):

"Trump’s attacks on foundational norms and principles leave policymakers with two choices.

"Lawmakers and voters can accept that damage and admit the inevitability of American decline, or they can fight to restore and strengthen the country’s legal guardrails.

"This post is an effort to begin that fight—to identify practical steps that the country can take to reinvigorate the rule of law and the concept of checks and balances."

Trump won't be living in the White House forever, but his weaponization of the Federal Government will serve as precedents for any future American tyrants:

How Trump's Attacks on Democracy Put the Constitution at Risk | ACLU.

"Perhaps most dangerously, the Trump administration is ignoring the rule of law and corrupting justice itself.

"The president has targeted law firms whose attorneys investigated him, stripping their security clearances, barring attorneys from federal buildings, and terminating government contracts unless firms agree to coercive demands for 'pro bono' services.

"He excoriates judges who issue unfavorable rulings, calling them 'radical left lunatics' and 'deranged,' while encouraging calls for impeachment or worse."

 

[Billiejeens]

Politicians aren't about to give up the power. The only solution is to take it from them but we won't.

Describe the process where we take that from them.

 

[pknopp]

Describe the process where we take that from them.

Not re-elect those who refuse to enact the reforms.

 

[berg80]

Anything you refuse to condemn your guy for will only get worse with the next.

IMO, that opinion is skewed by the Dotard experience.

 

[Billiejeens]

I can only imagine the blank stares of utter disbelief if the Founders were told one day a prez who lost an election would try to steal it. And following the failed attempt would be re-elected.

Then explain to the founders that the election was "won" under dubious circumstances, and when Congress tried to talk about it in open session the Democrats rioted to stop that conversation and then spent the next 4 years in an attempt to bankrupt, imprison, and assassinate the former President while the country itself was spiraling out of control which caused the people to return The Former President to the Presidency.

I think that they would understand.

 

[Billiejeens]

Not re-elect those who refuse to enact the reforms.

Sawry

I thought that you were serious.

 

[pknopp]

IMO, that opinion is skewed by the Dotard experience.

You sound like Trump with the name calling.

 

[pknopp]

Sawry

I thought that you were serious.

Yes, I understand you don't take that serious.

Lie to you? Re-elect them.

 

[berg80]

You sound like Trump with the name calling.

Not every prez comes in to office with an agenda to tear the country apart. Only Dotard has done that.

 

[pknopp]

Not every prez comes in to office with an agenda to tear the country apart. Only Dotard has done that.

Unconstitutional spying on American citizens did that also.

 

[berg80]

"Trump’s attacks on foundational norms and principles leave policymakers with two choices.

"Lawmakers and voters can accept that damage and admit the inevitability of American decline, or they can fight to restore and strengthen the country’s legal guardrails.

We need to get busy with the latter ASAP.

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

I dont see how EITHER party can talk about the other sides pardons.
Trump is pardoning criminals faster than he can tweet, and biden pardoned people that havent even been convicted of a crime. lolz
You people are something else.

This isn't a party talking. It's an American citizen.

Do you agree or not?

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Then explain to the founders that the election was "won" under dubious circumstances, and when Congress tried to talk about it in open session the Democrats rioted to stop that conversation and then spent the next 4 years in an attempt to bankrupt, imprison, and assassinate the former President while the country itself was spiraling out of control which caused the people to return The Former President to the Presidency.

I think that they would understand.

The Founders failed to envision the corruption and criminality of the GOP and Trump – that a party and president should have such contempt for our democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the Constitution that they would violate laws and destroy political norms to maintain power.

And as a consequence of that corruption and criminality, Republicans will oppose any reforms needed to address the damage they and Trump caused, allowing further corruption and criminality by future Republican presidents.

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

Hypocrisy party!

We need these reforms