Trump’s lawyer ‘discussed pardons’ for former aides in Russia investigation

DONALD TRUMP’S lawyer talked about pardoning two top former advisers as the Russian investigation was closing in, according to The New York Times.

John Dowd reportedly discussed the topic with lawyers for Michael Flynn, the former White House national security adviser, and Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman. The conversations were said to have taken place last year as both came under scrutiny from Robert Mueller, the special counsel looking into Russian election meddling. It raises the question of whether pardons were discussed to dissuade the two men from pleading guilty and co-operating with the investigation, thereby revealing what they knew during the campaign. It is unclear if Mr Trump was aware of the alleged conversations, said The New York Times. The claim was also denied by Mr Dowd.

The US president has the power to pardon people who face or are convicted of federal charges. There has been media speculation for months about whether Mr Trump could use the power to protect any former campaign aides charged by the Russia investigation. Mr Flynn, who was fired for misleading senior Trump figures about his contacts with the Russian ambassador, was charged with lying to the FBI. He eventually pleaded guilty. Mr Manafort was charged with a number of alleged crimes including money laundering and making false statements. He has pleaded not guilty.

Mr Dowd’s discussions about pardoning with each of the men’s lawyers took place before the charges were brought against them late last year, according to The New York Times.

As central figures in Mr Trump’s election campaign, both would have had a front-row seat on private discussions before the vote. Allegations that Mr Trump’s campaign colluded with the Russians are believed to be a focus of Mr Mueller’s investigation. Mr Dowd told The New York Times: “There were no discussions. Period. As far as I know, no discussions.”

Ty Cobb, the White House lawyer dealing with the investigation, said: “I have only been asked about pardons by the press and have routinely responded on the record that no pardons are under discussion or under consideration at the White House.”

The news came as Mr Trump hailed progress in the North Korean standoff after Kim Jong-un backed denuclearisation during his visit to China, according to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua. The president said there was a “good chance” Kim would “do what is right” for humanity and expressed optimism for the pair’s much-anticipated talks in May. Mr Trump revealed Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, yesterday sent a personal message briefing him on the three-day meeting and had struck an upbeat note.

♦ Mr Trump last night sacked David Shulkin, the veterans affairs secretary, who had been embroiled in an ethics controversy after he was found to have taken his wife on a business trip to Europe, during which he improperly accepted tickets to Wimbledon.

Mr Trump said he would nominate as a replacement his personal White House doctor Admiral Ronny Jackson.