President Donald Trump on Saturday left the door open to mass pardons for officials in his administration, telling reporters after voting early in Palm Beach, Florida, that he would be "allowed" to pardon staff members in order to shield them from future investigations. "I certainly don't want to see innocent people go through hell and lose all their money, like Margo [Martin]," Trump said.
Photo: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
His remarks came as The Washington Sun reported that White House attorneys are examining how broadly the president could extend clemency to personnel who have carried out his agenda, according to two people familiar with the private discussions. The reported discussions involve preemptive pardons for lower-ranking officials who could face federal prosecution for past actions connected to deportations, military operations and trade policy.
One option under consideration would cover employees working in particular policy areas rather than every junior official, the report said. A pardon encompassing all lower-ranking administration personnel is considered unlikely, one source told the news outlet. Trump has not identified potential recipients, specified offenses, or provided a timetable for issuing any pardons.
Outside groups are pressing the administration to act. The Heritage Foundation and American Moment have encouraged the White House counsel's office to prepare pardons or arrange financial assistance for junior officials facing possible criminal investigations, congressional inquiries or civil lawsuits, The Washington Sun reported. Mike Davis, president of the conservative legal organization Article III Project, said he intends to press the White House to issue "very broad preemptive pardons for anyone who worked for him or in his orbit." His comments followed remarks earlier this month by Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, suggesting that the possibility of future congressional investigations should give young Republicans pause before joining the administration.
Trump has aired the idea before. "I don't want to see people that work for me go through years of nonsense, hire lawyers, and everything else, all for nothing," he said during an October 15 interview on Newsmax's "Finnerty." Asked whether he was considering pardoning himself before leaving office, he replied: "Well, I don't think about it because I did nothing wrong." He has also said officials who break the law should face consequences: "All I know is, I want my people to be honest. And if they're not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted."
A president's pardon authority extends to federal offenses committed before clemency is granted, even when criminal charges have not been filed. It does not cover future crimes or state offenses, and it does not prevent congressional investigations or shield recipients from civil lawsuits.
Trump has repeatedly pointed to his predecessor's use of the power. Former President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons before leaving office in January 2025 to several family members and prominent former officials, including retired General Mark Milley and former White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci, citing concerns about politically motivated investigations. "The only thing Biden did is he proved that. You know, the pardon is very powerful," Trump said in his Newsmax interview.
The debate takes on added significance ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Democrats have discussed pursuing additional oversight of the administration if they regain a majority in either chamber — the very scenario that broad preemptive pardons would be designed to guard against.
Sources: Newsmax (reporting The Washington Sun), IANS (via Prokerala)