Trump says can pardon himself, denies misconduct
President Donald Trump on Monday asserted he had the “absolute right” to pardon himself in the Russia probe but insisted he had “done nothing wrong”.
“As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?” he tweeted as he celebrated his 500th day in office.
He also called the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, who is probing Russian interference in the 2016 presidential polls “unconstitutional”.
“The appointment of the Special Counsel is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL! Despite that, we play the game because I, unlike the Democrats, have done nothing wrong!” he tweeted.
The possibility of Trump pardoning himself has long been speculated about as the number of indictments and guilty pleas notched up by Muller’s team has risen — three of the five people who have pleaded guilty are former aides of the president.
Trump’s declaration has raised the possibility that he may undertake some drastic measure to protect himself.
The context appears to be an argument pushed by some conservatives that such a broad investigation should be conducted only by someone appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Questions about presidential powers have taken centre-stage, with reports stating that Trump’s lawyer told Mueller that as the chief law enforcement officers, the president cannot be accused of obstructing an investigation being conducted by his government
The lawyers also reportedly said that Trump can terminate a federal probe by the FBI or the justice department at any time and for any reason.
Trump’s assertion came a day after his lawyer Rudy Giuliani said the president “has no intention of pardoning himself, but he probably — not to say he can’t”.