Given the talk of Petraeus becoming Secretary of State, and the fact that he is still on probation, can't Trump just commute his sentence?

CW4 Brian Haas — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 18:11:40 -0500

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Dec 1 at 2016 7:14 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 19:14:32 -0500

He can also give him a complete pardon and wipe his record clean.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Dec 1 at 2016 7:49 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 19:49:44 -0500

He needs a Congressional Waiver as well because he was a four Star General so recently. General Mattis is in the same basket, needs a Congressional Waiver. Not sure why that restriction is on Secretary of State vs CIA but I suspect it has to do with line of succession to the Presidency.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Dec 2 at 2016 9:09 PM

1SG Al Brown — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 21:09:39 -0500

I don't have any mercy for him. He wouldn't have any mercy for me if I did what he did. Trump needs to wait until he serves his probation time and let him earn his honor and future security clearances.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Dec 3 at 2016 4:39 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 04:39:39 -0500

Given the lady Senator is philosophically opposed to Gen Mattis as SOD she would probably have a stroke at the suggestion of appointing a compromised adulterer as the nation's SOS and voting to waive the 7 yr delay period to boot. Trump could of course commute/pardon his transgressions, probably not a big deal with POTUS elect's personal values, but would expect some pushback in Congress.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 5:12 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 17:12:21 -0400

It would be more logical for President Trump to issue a pardon.
Having said that, while GEN Petraeus is a good man, I think we would all be better served if he remain outside of government. What he did was highly questionable, and set him up to be compromised. He knew better, and did it anyway.
Not the kind of cat I want in a position of trust. More of an informal advisory role would make more sense than elevating him to a cabinet position, but I think he should play golf and give speeches.