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.
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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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."
-
Trump’s Comey case dealt new setbackspeed read A federal judge ruled that key evidence could not be used in an effort to reindict former FBI Director James Comey
-
Moscow cheers Trump’s new ‘America First’ strategyspeed read The president’s national security strategy seeks ‘strategic stability’ with Russia
-
Trump tightens restrictions for work visasSpeed Read The length of work permits for asylum seekers and refugees has been shortened from five years to 18 months
-
Supreme Court revives Texas GOP gerrymanderSpeed Read Texas Republicans can use the congressional map they approved in August at President Donald Trump’s behest
-
Boat strike footage rattles some lawmakersSpeed Read ‘Disturbing’ footage of the Sept. 2 attack on an alleged drug-trafficking boat also shows the second strike that killed two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage
-
Trump boosts gas cars in fuel economy rollbackspeed read Watering down fuel efficiency standards is another blow to former President Biden’s effort to boost electric vehicles
-
Hegseth’s Signal chat put troops in peril, probe findsSpeed Read The defense secretary risked the lives of military personnel and violated Pentagon rules, says new report
-
Trump pardons Texas Democratic congressmanspeed read Rep. Henry Cuellar was charged with accepting foreign bribes tied to Azerbaijan and Mexico
