The most notorious criminal president before Trump was Nixon, and only about 57% of polled citizens wanted him prosecuted. That’s not a lot, considering how serious his crimes were for that time in politics and the nation.
The breakdown:
By Political Party (Sept 6–9, 1974 Gallup poll):
Democrats: 68% to 70% favored a trial (25%–27% opposed).
Independents: 55% to 60% favored a trial (34%–36% opposed).
Republicans: 33% to 38% favored a trial, while 56% to 59% opposed it
When was that poll taken? We’ve learned a whole lot more about Nixon’s shenanigans since then, and I know he still had overwhelming public support for a very long time even after the Watergate scandal broke. The information landscape in the early 70s was a lot different than it is now.
Yeah, at that date, I’m not surprised at those results. He’d already resigned, Ford pardoned him on Sep 8 1974 (right in the middle of that poll) with a “healing the nation” message.
I don’t know about the US not having a great appetite for prosecuting Presidents. Just those who make the decisions don’t have that appetite.
I for one would love if every person in government were held to at least the same standards as their constituents, ideally higher standards.
The most notorious criminal president before Trump was Nixon, and only about 57% of polled citizens wanted him prosecuted. That’s not a lot, considering how serious his crimes were for that time in politics and the nation.
The breakdown:
By Political Party (Sept 6–9, 1974 Gallup poll):
When was that poll taken? We’ve learned a whole lot more about Nixon’s shenanigans since then, and I know he still had overwhelming public support for a very long time even after the Watergate scandal broke. The information landscape in the early 70s was a lot different than it is now.
It says when it was taken in the post I made, always was there from the moment I posted it
Whoops, sorry, I am bad at reading.
Yeah, at that date, I’m not surprised at those results. He’d already resigned, Ford pardoned him on Sep 8 1974 (right in the middle of that poll) with a “healing the nation” message.