Trump Should Have Pardoned Snowden & Assange

Episode Summary

Main Topics Discussed

• Donald Trump's Political Future: Speculation about his potential run for president again, possibly under a "Patriot Party," and the perceived unlikelihood of him appearing on the podcast.
• Impact of the Capitol Hill Attack: Extensive discussion on how the January 6th Capitol riot irrevocably damaged Trump's political aspirations and legacy.
• Trump's Legal Vulnerabilities: Analysis of Trump's immunity limitations, specifically regarding state-level lawsuits (e.g., in New York), and the likelihood of impending legal challenges.
• Missed Pardons for Snowden and Assange: The argument that Trump should have pardoned Edward Snowden and Julian Assange, suggesting it would have garnered significant bipartisan support.
• Overshadowed Achievements: Brief mention of Trump's positive economic achievements (low unemployment, deregulation) being completely eclipsed by the Capitol incident.
• Tiger King Pardon Attempt: A humorous anecdote about Joe Exotic (Tiger King) believing Trump didn't pardon him because he felt Exotic was "too gay."

Key Insights & Memorable Moments

• The strong assertion that the Capitol Hill attack "sunk his battleship" and ended Trump's political aspirations.
• The observation that many individuals arrested during the Capitol riot are using Trump's own words ("Trump told us to") as their legal defense.
• The clarification that presidential immunity does not extend to state lawsuits, leaving Trump exposed to significant legal trouble.
• The strategic insight that pardoning Snowden and Assange would have been a move that could have garnered support from unexpected quarters, including many on the left.
• The idea that the Capitol incident has so thoroughly dominated the narrative that any positive aspects of Trump's presidency are now largely ignored, even by some potential allies.

Notable Quotes or Revelations

• "The Capitol Hill attack sunk his battleship I think that's a wrap."
• "A lot of the people that did do it they're using him saying that as their legal defense the people that got arrested they said Trump told us to."
• "He's not immune to lawsuits... the state like all the criminal charges the state was filing against him were always going to be possible and New York state apparently is filing a bunch of [ __ ] against him."
• "He should have pardoned snowden and should have pardoned julian assange."
• "I think he said that trump said that he thought trump he thought that trump felt like he was too gay to pardon." (Regarding Joe Exotic)

Overall Themes

• The Enduring Impact of Political Actions: The discussion underscores how a single event (the Capitol riot) can define a political figure's legacy and future, overshadowing all previous achievements.
• Accountability and Legal Consequences: A major theme is the legal vulnerability of former presidents, especially at the state level, and the potential for long-lasting legal battles.
• Strategic Use of Presidential Power: The episode highlights the missed opportunity for a politically strategic use of the pardon power that could have potentially altered public perception and garnered broader support.
• The Nuance of Political Evaluation: The difficulty in separating a leader's perceived positive contributions (like economic performance) from controversial or negative actions in the public consciousness.