“And the trial could conceivably last a long, long time...”
Wouldn’t all he have to do is plead guilty if there is no sentence? No expensive trial. The press would cover for him.
Pleading guilty doesn’t mean that a prosecution CAN’T present evidence, does it? And for him to plead guilty, there would have to be specific charges against him - and THAT is what the American people need to see and have a right to see.
If there was any question of whether a prosecutor should be censured for making charges that won’t result in a sentence (even though they would absolutely result in a conviction), Congress should do something to basically state that in cases where treason is pardoned, a prosecution, trial, and sentence are mandatory, even after the pardon.
The public NEEDS to know the truth. If only to keep the treasonous press from continuing to slander/libel the victims of that treason.