Roger Stone pleaded “Not Guilty” on all counts in Federal Court last Tuesday. While we’re awaiting to see whether or not he will be socked with a gag-order, I’d like to speculate on whether he can be successfully pardoned by Trump.
I’m well aware that the trial, let alone any prospect of a pardon, is at least 70 days away now (due to an extension granted Mueller to go over evidence uncovered in raids), but it appears that Roger Stone’s Harlem Apartment was raided along with his Florida residence, and office.
Mueller getting the Republican Attorney General in Florida to cooperate on bringing state charges, is a long-shot, even if Ashley Moody was a Democrat as recently as 1998. But it’s quite possible that crimes will be discovered as having been committed in New York City (therefore, NY State) as well.
Trump can only pardon federal crimes, so would this mean that either (both?) Cy Vance Jr. or Letitia James could prevent Trump from fully pardoning Stone, by bringing state-level charges?
Some say Trump won’t pardon Stone anyway, because:
- He hasn’t yet pardoned anyone known to him personally
- If he pardoned Stone, than Roger has to testify without 5th Amendment privileges, possibly causing further and deeper problems for Trump
But Stone and Trump go back to at least the 90’s, when Stone was, for many years, a lobbyist on behalf of Trump’s casino business. So Stone may have something juicy on Trump to use as leverage for a pardon.
Further, I realize it makes perfect sense for Mueller to raid Stone’s Harlem apartment, as Roger could have been storing all (or some) of his evidence of crimes there. But could it have been a part of the strategy to add pressure on Trump? Some are saying that Mueller won’t likely try to “flip” Stone, as his testimony would prove useless, because of a lifetime of mendacity. But a plea deal could be made, in order for Stone to corroborate info Mueller already has. Would that be beneficial? Then would it make Trump less likely to pardon?
What say you?