Former President Donald Trump explained his decision to refrain from pardoning himself during his final days in the White House.
The Republican leader, during a conversation with NBC News, revealed that his trusted legal advisers had confirmed the legality of such a pardon. They even deemed it preferable, especially considering the anticipated scrutiny surrounding Trump’s involvement in the January 6 riots.
“I said the last thing I’d ever do is give myself a pardon. I could have given myself a pardon. Don’t ask me about what I would do. I could’ve the last day, I could’ve had a pardon done that would have saved me all of these lawyers and all of these fake charges by these Biden indictments, they’re all Biden indictments,” Trump said.
“I could’ve pardoned myself. You know what I said? I have no interest of even thinking of that. I never even wanted to think about it. … It’s a very powerful thing for a president. What did I do wrong? I didn’t do anything wrong,” he continued.
Trump’s remarks are a testament to his unwavering will in the face of the four criminal indictments against him. Two of these indictments claim he tampered with the 2020 election results against then-candidate Joe Biden. Throughout these allegations, Trump has consistently asserted his innocence. He has also cooperated with the legal processes, undergoing procedures like fingerprinting and mugshot-taking, just as any other American would in the criminal justice system.
Historically, President Richard Nixon, ensnared by the Watergate scandal, contemplated the possibility of a self-pardon in 1974. Merely three days before his resignation, the Justice Department deduced, “Under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, the President cannot pardon himself.” This theory, however, remains unchallenged. Legal representatives for Trump have presented opposing arguments.
Democratic prosecutors from Manhattan, Georgia, and the Biden Justice Department have initiated comprehensive investigations. These investigations allege that Trump misused his presidential powers. Critics argue that such actions by the Democrats reveal their apprehensions about facing Trump in a fair election. They believe that the Democrats are resorting to using the court system as a tool against President Biden’s primary opponent in the upcoming election.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
