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Y’all might want to google Gamble vs US. No 17-646, an upcoming case to be heard in October by the Supreme Court of the United States.

There is wide speculation, including that of lawyers, that this case is the primary reason Republicans want(ed) Kavanaugh confirmed BEFORE October 1st.

At stake is the “separate sovereigns” exception to double jeopardy. If Kavanaugh and/or the other conservative judges vote to overrule this exception, people given presidential pardons for federal crimes cannot be tried for that crime again at the state level. This would mean that presidents will be able to pardon the guilty and they would have nothing to fear from state’s attorneys.

Regardless of the delay in confirming Kavanaugh and regardless of its current makeup, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear this case in October. Hopefully my legal friends can and will choose to offer any additional insights. This case bears watching.