Trump claims 'absolute right to PARDON myself'

President Trump.
(Image credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

President Trump on Monday doubled down on statements made by his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, who claimed over the weekend that the president could grant himself a pardon if necessary.

"I have the absolute right to PARDON myself," wrote Trump on Twitter, "but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?" Trump cited "numerous legal scholars" to back his claim.

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He focused his criticism on the "never-ending witch hunt" led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

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Trump's tweet echoed Giuliani's claims in an ABC News interview Sunday. Trump "probably" has the power to pardon himself, Giuliani said, adding: "He has no intention of pardoning himself but he probably — not to say he can't." Giuliani also defended the president's right to "terminate the inquiry" into his campaign "at any time for any reason."

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.