The New York Times is reporting exclusively that Donald Trump is considering pardoning himself in the final days of his presidency.
Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Michael Schmidt write:
In several conversations since Election Day, Mr. Trump has told advisers that he is considering giving himself a pardon and, in other instances, asked whether he should and what the effect would be on him legally and politically, according to the two people. It was not clear whether he had broached the topic since he incited his supporters on Wednesday to march on the Capitol, where some stormed the building in a mob attack.
Trump has long believed that he could pardon himself. He also believes that his perceived enemies are out to get him. A self-pardon is a highly questionable move and it’s unknown if courts would recognize it.
No president has ever pardoned himself, but, the Times writes, legal scholars “agree a presidential self-pardon could create a dangerous new precedent for presidents to unilaterally declare they are above the law and to insulate themselves from being held accountable for any crimes they committed in office.”
Trump is said to also be considering a wide range of pardons for his family and close associates.
