[criddell]

That's what I was wondering too. Can't she just pardon herself?

[topspin]

"Can't she just pardon herself?"

Nothing explicitly prevents it. It doesn't really matter anyhow; Congress has the exclusive power to impeach. Impeachment is the mechanism the constitution provides deal with criminal presidents and the president can't block it.

Make no mistake; the last thing Comey and Clinton+Obama et al. wanted was to fill news cycles with "FBI investigation reopened" 11 days out. It's bad, whatever it is, and this is a CYA move; Comey believes he needs to be able to claim he notified Oversight and made this public prior to the election.

[phd514]

Possibly, but pardons don't apply to impeachment, so she could still be removed as President.

[sp332]

Bill Clinton was impeached, but not removed from office.

[maxerickson]

I think even our partisan, dysfunctional congress would still impeach and remove a president that choose to pardon themselves and not step down.

[sp332]

I only meant that they could "impeach" her over something but she could still be in office.

[criddell]

Then what happens? Does Tim Kaine take over?

[antognini]

She certainly could. That is why the power of impeachment resides with Congress.

[Impl0x]

Presidential pardons don't apply to impeachments, I believe.