Trump Blasts Russia Probe as ‘Unconstitutional’, Claims ‘Absolute Right to Pardon’ Himself
As Republicans and members of the right-wing media continue to float the Nixon-ian argument that the president can’t obstruct justice and has the power to end probes — like Robert Mueller’s investigation — Donald Trump took to Twitter to support the idea of a self-pardon.
“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?” Tweeted Trump this morning. “In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues into the mid-terms!”
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? In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues into the mid-terms!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2018
He followed up this tweet by calling special counsel Mueller’s investigation “totally 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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2018
Given Trump’s incredibly strong party support and continued backing by GOP leaders, it seems that he could very well get away with pardoning himself — should he have to. This self-pardon tweet comes at the heels of the president pardoning right-wing pundit Dinesh D’Souza, as well as suggesting that he will pardon former Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich, who is currently serving 14-years for corruption and bribery.
Many believe Trump pardoning these high profile cases is the president laying groundwork for the pardoning of his allies currently caught in Mueller’s probe and — as his tweet suggests — himself.
However, not everyone in the White House’s corner appears to be on board with him pardoning himself, as Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani suggested during his most recent press tour that the president will not pardon himself, even though he can.
“He’s not, but he probably does,” Giuliani said of Trump pardoning himself while on ABC News yesterday. “He has no intention of pardoning himself, but that doesn’t say he can’t.”
Meanwhile, law professor Jonathan Turley noted this new strategy from Trump’s legal team indicates they know they’re going to lose.
[image via Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images]
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