do you think Nixon and presidents get amenity when they do something wrong that they are not held responible for their actions. What do you think why don't presidents go to jail? I like to know your thoughts.
2006-12-28 09:24:04 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
If you mean immunity, U.S. Presidents are accountable to the people for their behavior. If they break the law, they can be impeached by the House of Representatives and Senate, and then removed from office. Afterwards they can be prosecuted for their crimes and go to jail the same as any citizen.
In Nixon's case, he was given a full pardon by his successor; Gerald Ford after he resigned.
BTW - Impeachment doesn't necessarily mean a President is removed from office. Bill Clinton was impeached for lying under oath but still retained his job as President.
2006-12-28 09:31:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you mean amnesty, presidents do not get amnesty, because this term generally applies to non-government (civilian) people. What Nixon did was lie to congress, which is a federal offense. He was pardoned by president Ford in order to avoid further disgrace to the office of president. I think he did the right thing at the time because there were more serious issues facing the country at the time. Just like any situation, you have to choose your battles, and Nixon going to jail would involve a long impeachment process, followed by a long drawn-out trial. It would not have been worth the time or energy--or money....We all know that he was guilty, and him being the first president to resign from office is punishment enough. Well, those are my thoughts.
2006-12-28 18:01:58 · answer #2 · answered by andrewshngtn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to say this, but your language skills need work if you're going to be successful in American society.
As to your question, President Ford gave amnesty to Nixon to heal the national wound of Watergate rather than keep it open for 5 years more while we prosecuted Nixon. Don't know if that was the right thing to do or not - seems that we should all be held accountable for our actions.
2006-12-28 17:28:22 · answer #3 · answered by All hat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the case of Nixon, President Ford gave him immunity from prosceution. I think it was a good idea considering the condition of the country at the time, Ford was brave to do it because many wanted Nixon to face charges. But it would just have made things worse.
But if the President is not given immunity he can be tried for crimes while in office.
2006-12-28 17:31:16 · answer #4 · answered by Nort 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
President Ford pardoned Nixon. So whether or not Nixon should've gone to jail isn't even an issue.
2006-12-28 17:35:42 · answer #5 · answered by crazydave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of his punishment was that he was drove out of office empeached and would have been convicted of several crimes. However at that time Watergate had taken the country thru 2+ years of torment and with the court system and trials would have gone on for an additional 2 probably 5 years or so in convicting him. Pres Ford did our country a great favor by Parding him. It let us all move on.
It was quite a time to have lived thru to say the least...However Clinton lowered our countries standing in the world so much more than any other president with his scandals starting even before he took the oath of office....
2006-12-28 17:34:13 · answer #6 · answered by Scott 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nixon spent his last decades with all the amenities...
2006-12-28 17:26:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well i feel presidents will never go to jail , what would that say to the rest of the world ?
2006-12-28 17:26:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean immunity? What they do is make deals with others to get them in a position to grant a pardon.
2006-12-28 17:33:22 · answer #9 · answered by playgtar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mean amnesty, right?
Money equals power. Power equals privileges. Get it?
2006-12-28 17:32:01 · answer #10 · answered by Hemingway 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋