Former President Donald Trump has revealed that he considered pardoning himself during his final days in office, but ultimately decided against it. Trump stated that while he was given the option and had attorneys who said it was possible, he chose not to because it would not look good.
Despite not being charged with any crimes while in office, Trump has since been indicted four times and faces a total of 91 charges in federal and state cases. This has raised questions about the legality of a presidential self-pardon. Experts have debated the constitutionality of such an action, with a 1974 legal memo from the Department of Justice arguing against it.
It is important to note that Trump’s pardoning powers only apply to federal crimes, meaning he would not be able to pardon himself for any state convictions. This limitation is significant as several of the charges he faces are at the state level.
Trump, who is currently seen as the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, has stated that it is “very unlikely” he would pardon himself if he wins a second term. He maintained that he did nothing wrong and believes the charges against him are politically motivated. Recently, he pled not guilty in the Georgia election interference case and has denied wrongdoing in other cases involving hush-money payments, mishandling classified documents, and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
As Trump continues to face legal challenges, the debate surrounding presidential self-pardons and the extent of his powers remains at the forefront. It is unclear how these legal battles will impact his political ambitions or his standing within the Republican Party. However, for now, Trump maintains his innocence and continues to assert that the charges against him are nothing more than attempts to prevent his potential reelection.
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