From 1979 WaPo story: Lamar Alexander was sworn in as governor of Tennessee tonight, three days before his scheduled inauguration, to prevent outgoing Gov. Ray Blanton from commuting the sentences of any more prisoners, he said.
The surprise swearing-in came as reports grew that a grand jury would investigate the pardons or commutations granted to 52 prisoners by Blanton Monday night.
Shortly before he took the oath of office, Alexander said, "I have been authorized by the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House to make this statement:
"The U.S. attorney today advised each of us that he has substantial reason to believe that the governor of Tennessee was planning to release one or more persons from prison who are targets of an investigation of pay-offs for release from prison."
Alexander said he had been assured the early inauguration, apparently without precedent in Tennessee, is legal. The state attorney general's office had given an opinion earlier in the week that it was legal for Alexander to take office any time after Jan. 15.
Tenn. Governor Sworn In Early to Halt Clemencies
Lamar Alexander was sworn in as governor of Tennessee tonight, three days before his scheduled inauguration, to prevent outgoing Gov. Ray Blanton from commuting the sentences of any more prisoners, he said.
The surprise swearing-in came as reports grew that a grand jury would investigate the pardons or commutations granted to 52 prisoners by Blanton Monday night.
Shortly before he took the oath of office, Alexander said, "I have been authorized by the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House to make this statement:
"The U.S. attorney today advised each of us that he has substantial reason to believe that the governor of Tennessee was planning to release one or more persons from prison who are targets of an investigation of pay-offs for release from prison."
Alexander said he had been assured the early inauguration, apparently without precedent in Tennessee, is legal. The state attorney general's office had given an opinion earlier in the week that it was legal for Alexander to take office any time after Jan. 15.
"These are not very happy days for the state of Tennessee," Alexander said, "and these are not very happy days for me."
Alexander said he was notified at 4 p.m. that the ceremony had been scheduled. It took place at 5:56 p.m.
State Attorney General William Leech said that five minutes before the ceremony, he called Blanton, who was at his private residence, and said, "'Governor, this is General Leech. I just wanted to call you myself and let you know that in a few minutes, Lamar Alexander will take the oath of office.'"
Leech said there was a pause. "I would not want to paraphrase what he said," Leech said. "He was hurt. He said he hated to go out of office like this. He said, 'I accept it and I acknowledge your message.'"
Blanton ordered commutations or pardons for 24 convicted murderers and 28 other prisoners, and by this evening 10 murderers and two armed robbers had been released.
Stop the irrational and reckless pardons of Trump? Can Biden be sworn in early?
On January 3, the Congress is sworn in and starts its term. On January 6, Congress counts electoral votes and certifies the winner. Why delay until January 20 to swear in Biden-Harris?
Time to change the 20th Amendment?
Trump is proving that might be something that should be changed, just as Hoover proved it needed to be moved from March 4, when he tried to sabotage FDR's start because Roosevelt wouldn't go along with the angry Hoover's strategies for propping up the banks.
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