Yahoo News Donald Trump insists he can pardon himself over Russia probe - but doesn't need to bother
Donald Trump has insisted he has the ‘absolute right’ to pardon himself for committing a crime – but that he doesn’t need to bother because he has ‘done nothing wrong’.
The President made the assertion in a furious Twitter spree that criticised Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign over interference in the presidential election.
Trump also gushed over his own performance in the first 500 days in the White House in his latest social media outburst.
This is my 500th. Day in Office and we have accomplished a lot – many believe more than any President in his first 500 days. Massive Tax & Regulation Cuts, Military & Vets, Lower Crime & Illegal Immigration, Stronger Borders, Judgeships, Best Economy & Jobs EVER, and much more…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2018
….We had Repeal & Replace done (and the saving to our country of one trillion dollars) except for one person, but it is getting done anyway. Individual Mandate is gone and great, less expensive plans will be announced this month. Drug prices coming down & Right to Try!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2018
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
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
His comments followed the release of a memo sent to Robert Mueller by Trump’s legal team, published in the New York Times this weekend, claiming that the President could not be guilty of obstruction of justice with regards to the Russia investigation, because he is America’s ‘chief law enforcement officer’.
Trump’s attorney Rudy Guiliani claimed on Sunday that the President could have shot former FBI director James Comey to end his Russia investigation and not faced prosecution while in office.
‘In no case can he be subpoenaed or indicted,’ Guiliani told HuffPost.
However he went on to explain that Trump would immediately face impeachment.
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The leaked letter was part of a broader campaign fought by the White House legal team arguing that Trump should not have to sit down and give evidence to special counsel Mueller.
Trump claimed last summer in another Twitter diatribe that as he President he has ‘the complete power to pardon’.
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
This followed a report in the Washington Post that Trump had been making enquiries about his power to pardon his family, aides and himself.
Legal experts disagree over whether Trump would indeed be able to pardon himself, as he claims.
Michigan State law professor and constitutional scholar Brian Kalt said to Yahoo News: ‘I’ve been writing about this for 20 years.
‘And it just amuses me any time I see commentary, people saying, ‘Well, of course he can,’ or ‘Well, of course he can’t.’
‘The answer is we don’t know.
‘Any court that took this question, it would be appealed up to the Supreme Court and they could do whatever they want.
‘I favour the argument that he can’t. But there are good arguments on both sides. It could go either way.
‘The basic argument on the side that says he can do it is, look at the Constitution and it doesn’t say he can’t.
It says he can pardon federal crimes. It says in another clause he can’t pardon an impeachment away; he can’t stop or undo an impeachment. Those are the only limits.’
