President could pardon himself but he has no intention to, says Giuliani

‘Pardoning other people is one thing. Pardoning yourself is another’

RUDY GIULIANI, one of Donald Trump’s lawyers, said yesterday that the US leader “probably” had the power to pardon himself as the Russia investigation continues to dog his presidency.

His remarks came after The New York Times reported a leaked memo in which the president’s legal team argued that Mr Trump could not obstruct justice as he was “America’s top law officer”, nor could he be compelled to testify.

When asked by ABC yesterday if he thought Mr Trump had the power to pardon himself, the former mayor of New York replied: “He probably does.”

But he added that the president “has no intention of pardoning himself ”, al- though the US constitution “doesn’t say he can’t”.

“I think the political ramifications of that would be tough,” Mr Giuliani said. “Pardoning other people is one thing. Pardoning yourself is another.”

Will Hurd, a Republican congressman from Texas, said: “I think that would be a terrible move. I think people would erupt. So I hope we don’t have to get to that point”

Later, speaking on NBC’S Meet the Press, Mr Giuliani said: “The president of the United States pardoning himself would just be unthinkable. And it would lead to probably an immediate impeachment.

“President Trump has no need to do that. He didn’t do anything wrong.”