“One thing that I read over and over is that....in accepting any pardon carries an assumption of guilt.”
That is true...
But these folks are all being forced to plea bargain for a lesser charge and accept guilt anyhow even though they are not. So it is a catch 22 situation, lesser of two evils. I would rather be falsely considered guilty and out with no more court process than have to plea bargain for a lesser guilty charge and prison time anyhow.
If they turn down the pardon and stay and fight it they will never get out and be found guilty anyhow. The system is broken, once you are even accused you are considered guilty and almost always have to take a plea and confess guilt for less punishment guilty or not, there is no such thing as innocence anymore. Only millionaires with influence are ever found innocent.
They can still be called before Congress....and I’m betting they can’t use the 5th.