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Comment by zabzonk | Hacker News Reader

Probably needs to be settled before Trump gets in?

United States Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. López was appointed to the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas, effective August 14, 2019. Judge López was sworn in by United States Circuit Judge Gregg Costa on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

Hmm.

Can Trump pardon Jones? I thought pardons apply in criminal cases, not in civil cases like bankruptcy.

It's not about pardoning, it's about what US bankruptcy trustee thinks is ok or not ok. Had this happen under Trump administration, I would assume that the trustee would not even allow such a deal to go ahead in the first place.

And as a follow on, if the president pardons someone for a crime can those harmed by it still sue the perpetrator for damages in a civil case?

Yes absolutely. Being found not guilty of a crime or being pardoned has no bearing on the evidence that exists which is presented in a separate civil case against you.

There’s no double jeopardy in a civil case - it’s a matter of if someone has a claim of damages.

Trump, nor any other president, can eliminate the court's decision. A president's power would be limited to appointing judges in open positions, so potentially the responsible appeals court (up to the SCOTUS) could be influenced, but not controlled.

> influenced, but not controlled

A useless distinction in practice.

Why, so the outgoing government which lost the public vote can make the decision instead of the president elect ?

Disclaimer, I think Trump is a buffoon, but I also think this kind of thinking is backwards.

President elect shouldn’t control the courts but whatever.

You think the current president is influencing this court case?

People posting in this thread seem to think a Trump DOJ appointed trustee would act in a way that benefits Alex Jones.

Infowars has a large following and has been very supportive of Trump while being critical of Biden. The rationale for the motivation to act politically in both directions is certainly there.

The elected government isn't making this decision anyways, this is in a court in front of a judge (one previously appointed by the president-elect, no less).

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