[Hugin]

He’s made it vague enough that Mafia lawyers are taking notes, but it’s a direct threat.

So is "If you move that plant to Mexico I'll hit you with a 25% tariff". It's not illegal.

[jiggyboy]

An excellent example, except for a fine and specific point that the matter of the President having authority to levy tariffs on what would then be foreign goods is debatable regardless of whether it is directed to a specific company.

I do think that theoretically the President (or a Governor or a Mayor) is able to make threats that could be construed to be extortion. But not having seen anything in DeBlasio’s letter that can be extrapolated into the articles “pull the plug” allegation, I withdraw my own claim that he’s threatened Wells Fargo.