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Roger Stone asks for Trump pardon after being sentenced to 40 months – live Roger Stone asks for Trump pardon after being sentenced to 40 months – live
(32 minutes later)
Trump’s former associate was sentenced today for obstructing Russia investigationTrump’s former associate was sentenced today for obstructing Russia investigation
Trump emphasized he would be monitoring Roger Stone’s case closely and indicated he would later make a decision on a potential pardon.
“We will watch the process and watch it very closely. And at some point I will make a determination,” Trump said.
However, the president also made clear he thought Stone had been treated unfairly in the trial. “Roger Stone and everybody has to be treated fairly. And this has not been a fair process,” Trump said.
Trump indicated that he would not pardon Roger Stone at this time because he wanted to see the case continue making its way through the courts if his former associate appeals the ruling.
“I am not going to do anything in terms of the great powers bestowed to the president,” Trump said. “I want the process to play out. I think that’s the best thing to do because I would love to see Roger exonerated.”
The president defended Stone, who was convicted of obstructing and lying to Congress and witness-tampering in the Russia investigation.
“They say he lied. But other people lied too,” Trump said before going on to bash a number of his perceived enemies, such as former FBI director James Comey.
Speaking at the Las Vegas event, Trump addressed the Roger Stone case for the first time since his former associate was sentenced.
“I’m following this very closely, and I want to see it play out to its fullest because Roger has a very good chance of exoneration in my opinion,” Trump said.
The president then turned to attacking the jury foreman in Stone’s case, who he said was “totally tainted” and an “anti-Trump activist.”
Stone’s team has argued he should get a new trial because of juror bias, but Judge Amy Berman Jackson seemed skeptical of that motion earlier today.
Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Trump said he was considering a pardon for the founder of the group Hope for Prisoners.
Jon Ponder, who introduced Trump at the event, has said he first envisioned the group while he was serving time in prison. His program helps former inmates reentering society.
“We are giving him absolute consideration, and I have a feeling he’s going to get that full pardon,” Trump said of Ponder.
Trump issued a spate of commutations and pardons earlier this week, intensifying speculation that the president will pardon Roger Stone.
Mike Bloomberg is being criticized fot tweeting out an altered video from last night’s debate.Mike Bloomberg is being criticized fot tweeting out an altered video from last night’s debate.
The video appears to show Bloomberg’s opponents reacting with blank stares and stuttering when he says he is the only candidate on stage who has started his own business.The video appears to show Bloomberg’s opponents reacting with blank stares and stuttering when he says he is the only candidate on stage who has started his own business.
In reality, when Bloomberg delivered this line last night, he then quickly launched into praising mentoring programs he supported in New York.In reality, when Bloomberg delivered this line last night, he then quickly launched into praising mentoring programs he supported in New York.
Some commentators said Bloomberg’s use of the video raised questions about his credibility.Some commentators said Bloomberg’s use of the video raised questions about his credibility.
In a new statement, a spokesperson for Roger Stone denounced Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s handling of his sentencing and called on Trump to pardon him.In a new statement, a spokesperson for Roger Stone denounced Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s handling of his sentencing and called on Trump to pardon him.
Kristin Davis criticized Jackson for issuing a ruling on Stone’s sentence before reaching a decision on the former Trump associate’s motion claiming juror bias.Kristin Davis criticized Jackson for issuing a ruling on Stone’s sentence before reaching a decision on the former Trump associate’s motion claiming juror bias.
However, Jackson applauded the jurors for their service earlier today, so she seems unlikely to issue a favorable ruling on Stone’s motion.However, Jackson applauded the jurors for their service earlier today, so she seems unlikely to issue a favorable ruling on Stone’s motion.
“It falls on President Trump to use the power of a pardon as the final means of checks and balances to right this horrible wrong,” Davis said.“It falls on President Trump to use the power of a pardon as the final means of checks and balances to right this horrible wrong,” Davis said.
Last night’s Democratic debate drew 19.7 million viewers, setting a new record, according to Nielsen.Last night’s Democratic debate drew 19.7 million viewers, setting a new record, according to Nielsen.
Deadline reports:Deadline reports:
Those figures will likely delight the candidates who performed well last night, namely Elizabeth Warren, but they may be greeted with panic over at Mike Bloomberg’s headquarters.Those figures will likely delight the candidates who performed well last night, namely Elizabeth Warren, but they may be greeted with panic over at Mike Bloomberg’s headquarters.
Warren’s campaign said it raised nearly $3 million yesterday, as the candidate went after Bloomberg for his past sexist comments and his hefty campaign spending.Warren’s campaign said it raised nearly $3 million yesterday, as the candidate went after Bloomberg for his past sexist comments and his hefty campaign spending.
But Bloomberg’s performance was widely panned, with the former New York mayor appearing unprepared for some obvious lines of attack.But Bloomberg’s performance was widely panned, with the former New York mayor appearing unprepared for some obvious lines of attack.
Considering nearly 20 million people tuned in last night, that could be bad news for Bloomberg’s hopes of turning in a formidable performance on Super Tuesday after skipping the early voting states.Considering nearly 20 million people tuned in last night, that could be bad news for Bloomberg’s hopes of turning in a formidable performance on Super Tuesday after skipping the early voting states.
Here’s some bad news for Democrats: a new poll found Trump leading all of the top presidential candidates in the pivotal swing state of Wisconsin.Here’s some bad news for Democrats: a new poll found Trump leading all of the top presidential candidates in the pivotal swing state of Wisconsin.
According to the Quinnipiac University poll, the 2020 Democratic field has an edge over the president in Michigan and Pennsylvania, which Trump carried in 2016.According to the Quinnipiac University poll, the 2020 Democratic field has an edge over the president in Michigan and Pennsylvania, which Trump carried in 2016.
But the poll also found that all of the candidates are trailing Trump in the key toss-up state of Wisconsin.But the poll also found that all of the candidates are trailing Trump in the key toss-up state of Wisconsin.
If the 2016 electoral map holds mostly steady this year, and Trump is able to hold Wisconsin while Democrats pick up Michigan and Pennsylvania, the president will still win reelection.If the 2016 electoral map holds mostly steady this year, and Trump is able to hold Wisconsin while Democrats pick up Michigan and Pennsylvania, the president will still win reelection.
Democrats have said they expect to be competitive in other states that went for Trump in 2016, such as Arizona and Georgia.Democrats have said they expect to be competitive in other states that went for Trump in 2016, such as Arizona and Georgia.
But for the many Democrats who have argued their road to the White House runs through the Midwest, those polling numbers could cause alarm.But for the many Democrats who have argued their road to the White House runs through the Midwest, those polling numbers could cause alarm.
Reacting to yet another one of the president’s mocking tweets, Mike Bloomberg joked about the likelihood of Trump pardoning Roger Stone, after his former associate was sentenced to more than three years in prison.Reacting to yet another one of the president’s mocking tweets, Mike Bloomberg joked about the likelihood of Trump pardoning Roger Stone, after his former associate was sentenced to more than three years in prison.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Roger Stone, Trump’s former associate, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for obstructing the congressional investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.Roger Stone, Trump’s former associate, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for obstructing the congressional investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Trump has hinted at a possible pardon for Stone, which House intelligence commitee chairman Adam Schiff said would be “a breathtaking act of corruption.”Trump has hinted at a possible pardon for Stone, which House intelligence commitee chairman Adam Schiff said would be “a breathtaking act of corruption.”
Judge Amy Berman Jackson denounced Stone’s actions while delivering her sentencing decision, calling Stone’s disregard for the truth “a threat to the very foundation of this democracy.”Judge Amy Berman Jackson denounced Stone’s actions while delivering her sentencing decision, calling Stone’s disregard for the truth “a threat to the very foundation of this democracy.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff said Roger Stone’s sentence was “justified” and warned that a presidential pardon in the case would be a “breathtaking act of corruption.”House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff said Roger Stone’s sentence was “justified” and warned that a presidential pardon in the case would be a “breathtaking act of corruption.”
Trump has appeared open to pardoning Stone, pinning this clip from Fox News’ Tucker Carlson to the top of his Twitter feed.Trump has appeared open to pardoning Stone, pinning this clip from Fox News’ Tucker Carlson to the top of his Twitter feed.
“Like the Russia collusion fantasy itself, Stone’s prosecution was wholly poitical,” Carlson says in the clip, although that argument was rejected by Judge Amy Berman Jackson today.“Like the Russia collusion fantasy itself, Stone’s prosecution was wholly poitical,” Carlson says in the clip, although that argument was rejected by Judge Amy Berman Jackson today.
Carlson goes on to say, “President Trump could end this travesty in an instant with a pardon, and there are indications tonight that he will do that.”Carlson goes on to say, “President Trump could end this travesty in an instant with a pardon, and there are indications tonight that he will do that.”
Allies and critics of Roger Stone faced off as the former Trump associate exited the courthouse after his sentencing hearing.Allies and critics of Roger Stone faced off as the former Trump associate exited the courthouse after his sentencing hearing.
From the Guardian’s Lauren Gambino, who is at the courthouse:From the Guardian’s Lauren Gambino, who is at the courthouse:
Roger Stone will not report to prison for at least a few weeks, until Judge Amy Berman Jackson rules on his motion claiming juror bias in the case.Roger Stone will not report to prison for at least a few weeks, until Judge Amy Berman Jackson rules on his motion claiming juror bias in the case.
But Jackson seems unlikely to give Stone a favorable ruling on his motion, considering she praised “jurors who served with integrity under difficult circumstances” while delivering her decision today.But Jackson seems unlikely to give Stone a favorable ruling on his motion, considering she praised “jurors who served with integrity under difficult circumstances” while delivering her decision today.
As she delivered her sentence, Judge Amy Berman Jackson delivered a defense of facts, accusing Roger Stone of disregarding them in his case.As she delivered her sentence, Judge Amy Berman Jackson delivered a defense of facts, accusing Roger Stone of disregarding them in his case.
“The truth still exists. The truth still matters,” Jackson said. “Roger Stone’s insistence that it doesn’t, his pride in his own lies are a threat to the very foundation of this democracy.”“The truth still exists. The truth still matters,” Jackson said. “Roger Stone’s insistence that it doesn’t, his pride in his own lies are a threat to the very foundation of this democracy.”
Despite America’s current divisions, Jackson said that the condemnation of Stone’s disregard for the truth “should transcend both parties.”Despite America’s current divisions, Jackson said that the condemnation of Stone’s disregard for the truth “should transcend both parties.”
Roger Stone has been sentenced to spend three years and four months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.Roger Stone has been sentenced to spend three years and four months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
The former Trump associate will also be required to pay a $20,000 fine.The former Trump associate will also be required to pay a $20,000 fine.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Stone to 40 months on the first charge and concurrent sentences on the sixth other charges.Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Stone to 40 months on the first charge and concurrent sentences on the sixth other charges.
Roger Stone, Trump’s former associate, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to and obstructing Congress and witness tampering in the Russia investigation.Roger Stone, Trump’s former associate, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to and obstructing Congress and witness tampering in the Russia investigation.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson defended the congressional investigation into Russian interference and the prosecution of Roger Stone’s case.Judge Amy Berman Jackson defended the congressional investigation into Russian interference and the prosecution of Roger Stone’s case.
“There was nothing unfair, phony or disgraceful about the investigation or the prosecution,” Jackson said. “Witnesses do not get to decide for themselves whether Congress is entitled to the facts.”“There was nothing unfair, phony or disgraceful about the investigation or the prosecution,” Jackson said. “Witnesses do not get to decide for themselves whether Congress is entitled to the facts.”
She also argued Stone’s disregard for the truth should worry all those who care about American democracy.She also argued Stone’s disregard for the truth should worry all those who care about American democracy.
“The dismay and disgust at the defendant’s belligerence should transcend party,” Jackson said.“The dismay and disgust at the defendant’s belligerence should transcend party,” Jackson said.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson criticized Trump’s tweets about Roger Stone’s case, calling the president’s comments “entirely inappropriate.”Judge Amy Berman Jackson criticized Trump’s tweets about Roger Stone’s case, calling the president’s comments “entirely inappropriate.”
But the judge made clear she would not be swayed by Trump’s comments or arguments from Stone’s critics calling for a stiffer sentence.But the judge made clear she would not be swayed by Trump’s comments or arguments from Stone’s critics calling for a stiffer sentence.
“Roger Stone will not be sentenced for who his friends are or who his enemies are,” Jackson said.“Roger Stone will not be sentenced for who his friends are or who his enemies are,” Jackson said.