Can trump just pardon him?
this post was submitted on 29 May 2025
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It does not appear to be a criminal case.
Ngl, I don’t really understand how pardons work.
The president can pardon anyone accused or convicted of federal crimes. This is a civil case, so it is not criminal, so can't be pardoned. Similarly governors have the same power but at the state level. The president cannot pardon state level crimes.
Even if he could, Musk would have to accept the pardon which involves admitting his guilt.
A pardon means punishment is waived. You have to be punished before a pardon applies, and you have to be found guilty before you can be punished. So the only way to avoid the trial is to plead guilty/no contest.
A pardon is not immunity, immunity means you cannot be tried so the question of guilt is forever left unanswered.
Can't be pardoned from a lawsuit. Just from crimes