Trump: As president, I will mandate the death penalty for anyone who kills a police officer

Hot Air ^ | 12/11/2015 | Allahpundit

[BAW]

From last night's speech to the New England Police Benevolent Association, which voted to endorse him. Rarely can you tell whether a new Trump policy idea was gamed out beforehand or just something he came up with on the fly while in front of a mic, and this is no exception. His advisor, Dan Scavino, tweeted it out after Trump said it, though, so if it wasn't official campaign policy before, I guess it is now.

Is it worth critiquing this? Krauthammer’s ready to give up on arguing against Trump policies, partly because they're all obviously political panders rather than serious proposals and partly because pointing out that the policy is dumb and/or illegal only seems to make Trump fans want to spite the critic by embracing the idea more tightly. Besides, anyone who's been following the last few years of Obama's executive overreach already sees the problems here. For starters, cop-killer prosecutions usually fall under state, not federal, jurisdiction. Nineteen states have abolished the death penalty entirely, including Trump's home state of New York. The idea that the president can dictate to a state how it should punish its criminals is a kick in the nuts to federalism so sharp that even Obama wouldn't try it

[BAW]

Red meat to the base. WooHoo!!! And good to reinforce #BlueLivesMatter.

[Still Thinking]

Trump: As president, I will mandate the death penalty for anyone who kills a police officer

Uh, that's a state matter, so as POTUS, it would be none of your beeswax.

[servo1969]

Can the President do that?

[circlecity]

Well, most such cases are state court matters and the president can’t force a state prosecutor to file for the death penalty. I appreciate the sentiment though.

[Paine in the Neck]

Rein in that ‘mandate’ crap. The People do the mandating ‘round here, Mr. Trump.

[gdani]

I don’t think Trump understands the overwhelming majority of such cases are handled by state courts (over which the president has zero control).

[TexasFreeper2009]

quote “For starters, cop-killer prosecutions usually fall under state, not federal, jurisdiction. Nineteen states have abolished the death penalty entirely, including Trump's home state of New York. The idea that the president can dictate to a state how it should punish its criminals is a kick in the nuts to federalism so sharp that even Obama wouldn't try it”

lol

another idiot who knows NOTHING.

There are already FEDERAL guidelines for the punishment of state crimes. Ever heard of 3 strikes laws? Minimum sentencing laws? those are all FEDERAL mandates on the penalties that can be imposed on STATE prosecutions.

[Milton Miteybad]

Uh...no.

[Raycpa]

Rarely can you tell whether a new Trump policy idea was gamed out beforehand or just something he came up with on the fly

I'll answer this. The guy has been in business for about 50 years. During that time he made is billions by being a good negotiator. A good negotiator is like a good poker player, they are aware of everything they do and say. He is not communicating anything he doesn't intend to communicate that is not part of a longer strategy.

[Still Thinking]

There are already FEDERAL guidelines for the punishment of state crimes. Ever heard of 3 strikes laws? Minimum sentencing laws? those are all FEDERAL mandates on the penalties that can be imposed on STATE prosecutions.

People spit in the street too, but it's still improper.

[dainbramaged]

It would have to be a federal law, wouldn’t it? Not that I’m against executing a murderer of any kind. It’s proper punishment.

[Psalm 144]

“Can the President do that?”

No. Trump has many strengths, but legal scholarship is not among them.

[1Old Pro]

Maybe for federal police officers.

[Sacajaweau]

I believe several states already have this...but across the board for all 57 (cough cough) states is even better.

[Electric Graffiti]

Poor Krauthummer.......his reputation as the smartest drooling cripple in the room is showing some cracks.

[mrsmel]

Woah, I hope he didn't just lose whatever of the black vote he might have gotten, minuscule as it probably was.

[mrsmel]

Neither does the current _resident usually understand such matters, so the precedent has been set.

[Hulka]

Sure to anger many on FR that despise police. . .

[gdani]

Ever heard of 3 strikes laws? Minimum sentencing laws? those are all FEDERAL mandates on the penalties that can be imposed on STATE prosecutions.

Incorrect. Congress can and does pass laws that apply to the federal court system. Congress does not have the power to do the same with state courts.