Adviser and allies warning Trump against issuing pardons

By JONATHAN LEMIRE AP 32 minutes ago

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Adviser and allies warning Trump against issuing pardons

By JONATHAN LEMIRE

36 minutes ago

Donald Trump

In this March 20, 2019, photo, President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before leaving the White House in Washington. The end of the special counsel’s investigation sparked fresh speculation that Trump might pardon some of those charged in the probe. It’s also spawned a don’t-go-there chorus from a number of Trump’s closest advisers and GOP allies. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

NEW YORK (AP) — The end of the special counsel’s investigation sparked fresh speculation that President Donald Trump might pardon some of those charged in the probe. It’s also spawned a don’t-go-there chorus from some of Trump’s closest advisers and GOP allies.

They’re warning that pardons could ignite a political firestorm that overshadows what Trump sees as a moment of triumph.

Trump mused about granting pardons at times during special counsel Robert Mueller’s nearly two-year investigation. But according to his lawyers, the president has not been in active talks about using his pardon powers to help advisers who have pleaded guilty or been convicted, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

“The president is not going to consider pardons. He’s not gonna give any pardons,” said Rudy Giuliani, the president’s outside attorney. “If it ever happens, it has to happen in the future, but nobody has any promise of it, nobody should assume it. Of course, he has the power to do it, but I have no reason to believe he’s going to use it.”

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