It's been widely discussed in the media ever since Trump was indicted in Georgia that a pardon wasn't going to save him from facing criminal charges there. A president can't pardon state charges, and in Georgia, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles grants pardons, not the Governor:
Georgia's RICO charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.In Georgia, a pardon is an "order of official forgiveness" only granted to those who have completed their sentence, according to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles' website.
A pardon "does not expunge, remove or erase the crime from your record," the website states. "It may serve as a means for a petitioner to advance in employment or education."
A pardon will also restore civil and political rights.
In Georgia, pardon power does not rest with the governor (aka Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican) but with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, a board within the state's executive branch.
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is made up of five members who are appointed by the governor and then confirmed by the state Senate for a seven-year term.
That didn't stop Hewitt from spouting this nonsense on Fox's Special Report with Bret Baier this Friday, and of course the useless Trump lackey Baier didn't bother to correct him during a discussion about Fani Willis being allowed to stay on the case:
Radio talkshow host Hugh Hewitt said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) should pardon Donald Trump and his co-defendants if Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis does not relinquish control of the case to the state’s attorney general.
Hewitt slammed McAfee’s decision during an appearance on Friday’s Special Report on Fox News.
“I can’t read the judge’s mind, but I have read his opinion,” he said. “It does not make a lot of sense. He admits that an odor of mendacity surrounds the case, still.”
Hewitt said Willis should be given another ultimatum, this time by Kemp.
“And if I were governor Brian Kemp, I would be concerned about the appearance of justice in Georgia and I would offer the district attorney a choice,” he continued. “Either she gives the case to the state attorney general to prosecute, or he will pardon everyone in this case ’cause it’s a bad rush job. I cannot believe the judge came to the conclusion.”
