Fifteen Pardons and the threat of a Pocket Veto
The President had a busy evening yesterday. First he pardoned 15 individuals and then he reminded everyone that he is still the President and that he still holds some high cards. Congress just past a 5,000 page monstrosity combination of bills to provide covid relief to Americans and fund the government. Imbedded in all the pages was considerable pork and foreign aid with barely an afterthought of $600 to Americans who have suffered under various lockdowns for the past year. The congressmen/women who passed the bill had little time to read or know what was in the 5,000 page abnormality. A typical last minute spending binge by Speaker Pelosi. (another Pelosi special)
Trump correctly pointed out that the relief bill which is included with $1.4 trillion in omnibus spending, has "almost nothing to do with COVID."
"Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries, lobbyists and special interests while sending the bare minimum to the American people who need it," Trump said.
The Speaker reacted to the surprise announcement by trying to play it cute:
She then announced to her adoring media: "At last the President has agreed to $2,000." "Let's do it!" Conveniently forgetting that the President wants all the pork out of it, including the $50 Million for Jordan to build a wall and Millions for Pakistan to work on "gender" issues and money for South American countries, the irresponsible Post Office, the JFK Center and two new Museums on the Mall (just to name a few).
Normally the congress could easily override a Presidential veto, if that's what the President has in mind. However this congress is nearing the end of its term and the President can simply leave the bill in his pocket until then - a Pocket Veto - which can't be overridden.
Pocket veto , the killing of legislation by a chief executive through a failure to act within a specified period following the adjournment of the legislature . In the United States , if the president does not sign a bill within 10 days of its passage by Congress , it automatically becomes law. However, if Congress adjourns within the 10-day period and the president does not sign the bill, it is automatically vetoed, and the veto is absolute. The latter action is referred to as a pocket veto.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/pocket-veto
Last night the President also issues 15 pardons:
Included in the list are Duncan Hunter, Chris Collins, Trump's framed campaign advisor George Papadapoulous and four Blackwater guards who had been convicted in connection with the killing of Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007.
Most important and at the request of more than 100 members of Congress, Trump pardoned Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, Border Patrol agents who were convicted after Ramos shot an undocumented immigrant thought to be trafficking marijuana.
It was a good day for the millions of Americans who only had one real representative.
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