Donald Trump has discussed the possibility of pre-emptively pardoning his three eldest children, and Jared Kushner according to the New York Times.
“President Trump has discussed with advisers whether to grant pre-emptive pardons to his children, to his son-in-law … according to two people briefed on the matter,” The Times reports. “Mr. Trump has told others that he is concerned that a Biden Justice Department might seek retribution against the president by targeting the oldest three of his five children — Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump — as well as Ms. Trump’s husband, Jared Kushner, a White House senior adviser.”
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Donald Trump Jr. was investigated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller for his contacts with the Russians who promised dirt on Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign. He was never interviewed by Mueller or his team and he was never charged.
Jared Kushner provided false information to federal authorities about his contacts with foreigners for his security clearance, but he was given clearance anyway.
“The nature of Mr. Trump’s concern about any potential criminal exposure of Eric Trump or Ivanka Trump is unclear,” The Times noted, though the Manhattan DA is investigating the Trump organization for tax violation.
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This comes after the NYT reported earlier on Tuesday that Trump and Giuliani discussed the possiblity of a pre-emptive pardon for Giuliani before Trump leaves office. It’s still unclear why Giuliani would need a pardon.
In the last couple of days, close allies to Trump on the right have publicly called for him to pardon himself and his family. On Monday, Fox News host Sean Hannity added his voice to mix, telling Trump to “pardon his whole family and himself, because they want this witch hunt to go on in perpetuity.”
