President Donald Trump asserted that he could pardon himself in an interview clip aired by CNN on October 16.
“I’m allowed to do a pardon, a self-pardon,” Trump said. Host Wolf Blitzer introduced the clip as Trump discussing possible pardons for himself and members of his administration before leaving office.
Trump also referred to Joe Biden while emphasizing the strength of presidential pardon powers.
The remarks concerned possible future action; they did not announce an issued pardon. Trump’s assertion does not establish whether a self-pardon would be legally valid.
