"If the choice is between a tacit pardon and a formal one, a formal one is better. An explicit pardon would lay down a marker, signaling to those considering torture in the future that they could be prosecuted."
Now that's a truly strong signal to send to past and future torturers!
Pardoning Nixon prevented all future presidents from coordinating illegal actions, so it must surely work. In fact, let's extend that to other crimes! Think someone might have committed murder? Pardon them too!
In truth, it's a false dichotomy. A tacit pardon by this administration means the next could decide to prosecute.
Comments
"If the choice is between a tacit pardon and a formal one, a formal one is better. An explicit pardon would lay down a marker, signaling to those considering torture in the future that they could be prosecuted."
Now that's a truly strong signal to send to past and future torturers!
Pardoning Nixon prevented all future presidents from coordinating illegal actions, so it must surely work. In fact, let's extend that to other crimes! Think someone might have committed murder? Pardon them too!
In truth, it's a false dichotomy. A tacit pardon by this administration means the next could decide to prosecute.