Trump Promises Mass Pardons to Top Officials Before Leaving Office
According to individuals familiar with his recent remarks, President Donald Trump has repeatedly assured top administration officials that he intends to grant them pardons before his term concludes. During a recent meeting, the President reportedly stated, with accompanying laughter from attendees, that he would pardon anyone who had come within 200 feet of the Oval Office. This comment appears to be an evolving joke or rhetorical device, as earlier accounts from earlier in the year suggested a much narrower radius of just 10 feet. The expanding nature of this claimed pardon radius highlights the informal and somewhat erratic manner in which these assurances have been communicated to his inner circle. These revelations, reported by the Wall Street Journal, underscore the ongoing speculation regarding potential legal vulnerabilities faced by members of the Trump administration and the President's willingness to use his clemency powers extensively. The comments suggest a strategic or loyalist approach to protecting staff members from potential post-presidency legal challenges, reflecting the high-stakes political environment surrounding the end of his tenure.
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Trump Promises Mass Pardons to Top Officials Before Leaving Office
According to individuals familiar with his recent remarks, President Donald Trump has repeatedly assured top administration officials that he intends to grant them pardons before his term concludes. During a recent meeting, the President reportedly stated, with accompanying laughter from attendees, that he would pardon anyone who had come within 200 feet of the Oval Office. This comment appears to be an evolving joke or rhetorical device, as earlier accounts from earlier in the year suggested a much narrower radius of just 10 feet. The expanding nature of this claimed pardon radius highlights the informal and somewhat erratic manner in which these assurances have been communicated to his inner circle. These revelations, reported by the Wall Street Journal, underscore the ongoing speculation regarding potential legal vulnerabilities faced by members of the Trump administration and the President's willingness to use his clemency powers extensively. The comments suggest a strategic or loyalist approach to protecting staff members from potential post-presidency legal challenges, reflecting the high-stakes political environment surrounding the end of his tenure.
WSJ.com: Politics