Would it be possible in the US?

[Nimos]

Imagine that some criminal (not thinking Trump here), but some mafia type or someone working with them became president, could that person choose anyone as his advisor, including other known criminals? Let's take two scenarios one where they did it straight up and one where they did it in a bit more intelligent way.

Is there anything in the US system that would prevent it?

Let's just say they used these 4 years to improve their criminal working conditions, while just doing whatever a president does, they didn't really have to do a good job, just enough to make sure that people didn't complain.

Obviously thinking Trump here, not as a mafia criminal , but more that you can have a convinced person as president and he can from what I understand freely choose his advisors, so in theory would it be possible?

 

[F1fan]

Imagine that some criminal (not thinking Trump here), but some mafia type or someone working with them became president, could that person choose anyone as his advisor, including other known criminals? Let's take two scenarios one where they did it straight up and one where they did it in a bit more intelligent way.

Is there anything in the US system that would prevent it?

Not really. The president has broad powers and discretion to perform whatever duties he's trusted to do. Whether he commits criminal acts would mean nothing since presidents have broad immunity. There is impeachment as a tool to remove a president. As we have seen many of Trump's advisors have claimed forms of immunity because they were in service to the president. This doesn't seem to cover criminal acts, as Mark Meadows is still facing indictment.

Let's just say they used these 4 years to improve their criminal working conditions, while just doing whatever a president does, they didn't really have to do a good job, just enough to make sure that people didn't complain.

That seems to be what Musk has in mind.

Obviously thinking Trump here, not as a mafia criminal , but more that you can have a convinced person as president and he can from what I understand freely choose his advisors, so in theory would it be possible?

One thing to look for is Trump's lawsuit against the DOJ. He's claiming $100 million in damages. If he orders his DOJ head to settle and gives Trump the money that is a criminal act. I think it would earn him a third impeachment if democrats get back the House in 2026.

 

[Nakosis]

Imagine that some criminal (not thinking Trump here), but some mafia type or someone working with them became president, could that person choose anyone as his advisor, including other known criminals? Let's take two scenarios one where they did it straight up and one where they did it in a bit more intelligent way.

Is there anything in the US system that would prevent it?

Let's just say they used these 4 years to improve their criminal working conditions, while just doing whatever a president does, they didn't really have to do a good job, just enough to make sure that people didn't complain.

Obviously thinking Trump here, not as a mafia criminal , but more that you can have a convinced person as president and he can from what I understand freely choose his advisors, so in theory would it be possible?

The president's cabinet has to be approved by congress. So they can only pick from people they believe has a chance of getting approved.

Outside of the cabinet, if that is what you are referring to, a person, including the president can listen to anyone they want to. Religious advisors, political advisors, financial advisors.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Just information....

The Constitution and the cabinet nomination process | Constitution Center

Our Constitution covers many matters related to our government, but the nomination and approval process for the President’s cabinet wasn’t defined in great detail by the Founders.

constitutioncenter.org

 

[Nimos]

The president's cabinet has to be approved by congress. So they can only pick from people they believe has a chance of getting approved.

Outside of the cabinet, if that is what you are referring to, a person, including the president can listen to anyone they want to. Religious advisors, political advisors, financial advisors.

It wouldn't be that easy if they were well known criminals involved in organized crime at least

 

[Nimos]

That seems to be what Musk has in mind.

I assume that anyone would exploit that if you have a business like he does and 4 years in "power" to influence things to his benefit, then that is what he will spend his time on. Probably also why he is so eager to reduce and get rid of the federal systems that interfere with his ambitions. And given that everyone in control seems to agree, these could be some golden years for Elon as long as he doesn't get in a fight with Trump.

 

[F1fan]

I assume that anyone would exploit that if you have a business like he does and 4 years in "power" to influence things to his benefit, then that is what he will spend his time on.

Not everyone. It seems many very ambitious and greedy people are good at appearing to be in public service, but really are just making themselves more wealthy. Look at Jeff Besos, he could pay his employees more, and not be afraid to let the Wapo endorse a president, but he is after his personal goals, and indifferent to what's right and a duty.

Probably also why he is so eager to reduce and get rid of the federal systems that interfere with his ambitions.

He can literally influence policies that limit other electric car makers so he benefits. That's unethical.

And given that everyone in control seems to agree, these could be some golden years for Elon as long as he doesn't get in a fight with Trump.

When Trump is gone and this second term is invesigated and exposed it will surely be the most corrupt government in US history. Where will Trump rank among presidents? Still at the bottom. It's what the majority "wanted". I don't think they really understand the consequences yet. I heard a report that many NY voters voted for AOC and also Trump. Talk about inner conflict. What were these voters thinking? America is in a crisis.

 

[Nimos]

He can literally influence policies that limit other electric car makers so he benefits. That's unethical.

I don't think that is his goal though. I think he has much bigger ambitions, such as AI and robots, he has already mentioned several times that it is the future of Tesla and I could imagine that he will use these years to get himself positioned at the very front of all this.

Not saying that he won't also do cars.

And yes it is unethical if he does it, but Elon Musk has never even remotely reminded me of a person who cares about anyone other than himself, except if he can make money from it, which is fine. But his sudden aggressive interest in politics seems a bit strange if it wasn't because he has some intention with it.

When Trump is gone and this second term is invesigated and exposed it will surely be the most corrupt government in US history. Where will Trump rank among presidents? Still at the bottom. It's what the majority "wanted". I don't think they really understand the consequences yet. I heard a report that many NY voters voted for AOC and also Trump. Talk about inner conflict. What were these voters thinking? America is in a crisis.

There is a good chance of that. It is too early to say obviously, but looking at the people and the direction they seem to want to go. I would at least think that he is going to be the president who causes the biggest increase in inequality and also the one that will worsen the US education system the most and probably also the healthcare system.

(Obviously, for the poorest people)

I have absolutely no impression that any of these people care about anything besides money, but then again I'm not from the US, but I haven't heard them talk about any humanistic topics at all.

 

[Revoltingest]

Imagine that some criminal (not thinking Trump here), but some mafia type or someone working with them became president, could that person choose anyone as his advisor, including other known criminals? Let's take two scenarios one where they did it straight up and one where they did it in a bit more intelligent way.

No.
Impeachment is a theoretical remedy, but history
shows that it never results in conviction & removal
from office.