Should Trump pardon those accused of war crimes and murders?

LCDR Thomas Doherty (USNR-R Ret) — Sun, 19 May 2019 06:57:04 -0400

According to this story, Trump is planning to pardon servicemembers and a Blackwater guy accused or convicted of murdering civilians. Should he do this, or is it subversive to military and civilian justice and training on laws of war and common morality?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/18/us/trump-pardons-war-crimes.html

Trump May Be Preparing Pardons for Servicemen Accused of War Crimes

Military officials received expedited requests for paperwork needed to pardon several military members on or around Memorial Day.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 19 at 2019 9:12 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 19 May 2019 09:12:21 -0400

Nope. Shouldn't do It but Not a Precedence Nixon Pardoned Lt Calley

Response by SFC Marc W. made May 19 at 2019 10:19 AM

SFC Marc W. — Sun, 19 May 2019 10:19:56 -0400

It's completely up to him, that is his right to pardon or commute them.
Do you feel the same about Bradley/Chelsea Manning?

Response by Capt Jeff S. made May 19 at 2019 10:24 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Sun, 19 May 2019 10:24:30 -0400

The missing third option to review these cases on a case by case basis and in those situations where the service members were trying to protect the lives of their troops, I think we need to reassess whether the Justice System failed the service members. And in some cases, it's pretty obvious it did. There were a lot of things that didn't go as they should during the Obama Administration where people did things and literally got away with murder, and people were accused of murder and wrongdoing that were doing what was necessary to save the lives of their troops. I would like to see justice served for what went down at Benghazi and the Obama Administration officials responsible for making the decision to ruin the career of General Ham for putting together a rescue mission be held to account.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made May 19 at 2019 11:18 AM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sun, 19 May 2019 11:18:34 -0400

The roundabout where Blackwater received fire was well known as an ambush area for VBIEDs as well as well as random shooting. It is located about two blocks from the IZ gate which had been bombed several times during the years I worked in Iraq. Also, the Sheriton was located a block from the site which had been bombed and targeted by incoming frequently. I had a Iraqi Policeman point a pistol at me after returning from a run in that same area but decided not to fire. I believe the whole trial was a Kangroo Court. I do think there was a group over reaction. However, in the fog of battle in a urban environment amplifies the noise and confusion. I think they have served enough time. The State Department started pay blood money to Iraqis which many took advantage of murders being blamed on troops and contractors. Opinions vary.......

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 19 at 2019 12:48 PM

SSG Brian G. — Sun, 19 May 2019 12:48:19 -0400

This is one of those tricky "no right answer" questions. A blanket pardon for all? No. That is just outrageously stupid. A pardon for some? Perhaps. A pardon is a powerful thing and should not be used like a politician handing out 'vote for me' flyers. It should be used judiciously and after careful review and thought.

Each case needs to be reviewed and weighed and circumstances looked at carefully. A fair amount of times things that are important cannot be admitted into a trial that might have had an impact on the outcome. At the same time one has to look at the process. What does this say to everyone that views it and comes after and sees a President that pardons a person convicted by a jury of their peers, based on evidence?

The rule of law must mean something or it means nothing and all and we may as well just do away with it altogether as it just takes up space on lawyers bookshelves and we could better use those bodies elsewhere. We are a society of laws and accountability. A person murders someone, should a president really commute or pardon them? He has the power to do so but having the power and using it are different things.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 19 at 2019 1:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 19 May 2019 13:01:18 -0400

No pardon if military members are found guilty. Not the Blackwater guys, they were trigger happy.

Response by SSgt Thomas A Tullis Jr made May 19 at 2019 1:44 PM

SSgt Thomas A Tullis Jr — Sun, 19 May 2019 13:44:09 -0400

I agree with SSG Brian Grierson, this is a "tricky question".

Response by MAJ James Woods made May 19 at 2019 5:04 PM

MAJ James Woods — Sun, 19 May 2019 17:04:01 -0400

If we start thinking it morally acceptable to pardon military personnel that commit war crimes to include murder in a war zone then how far have we’ve fallen? Imagine presidents pardoning individuals that killed POWs in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Imagine presidents pardoning individuals that willingly killed unarmed civilians in Vietnam because he felt they were aiding the enemy though he had no proof. Imagine a president pardoning an individual knowing ordering a strike on a target that was mostly civilian just to get one HVT.
It should never be acceptable to pardon and exonerate a war criminal. Go ahead and commute their sentence but lets not start exonerating convicted war criminals.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made May 19 at 2019 6:45 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sun, 19 May 2019 18:45:24 -0400

Nope!

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made May 19 at 2019 7:03 PM

SGT Steve McFarland — Sun, 19 May 2019 19:03:13 -0400

What is a "war crime"? Is killing an enemy-combatant a "war crime"? If it is, what the hell are we doing there? If they deliberately-killed innocent-civilians, that is different, and should be treated as a "war crime", but if their choice was between killing or being-killed, "It is better to be tried by twelve than carried by six". Each case should be evaluated on its own merits.

Response by LTC Gary Earls made May 19 at 2019 11:42 PM

LTC Gary Earls — Sun, 19 May 2019 23:42:03 -0400

Let's consider that the information is coming from the media. They aren't supportive of the military. There is probably more information that we don't have that the President has.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 20 at 2019 10:49 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 20 May 2019 22:49:18 -0400

Don't get politics involved- Any President, Governor can issue pardons at their level if they believe it is warranted. Accused and not charged need no pardons cause they are not guilty. Guilty of war crimes and tried by who ? US, UN?

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 20 at 2019 11:05 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 20 May 2019 23:05:31 -0400

The president can pardon whomever he wants to.