'Certainly I'd be allowed to': Trump leaves the door open to pardoning thousands of staffers amid fears of Democrat probes

From the Newshound archive · first published 25 October 2026.

White House lawyers are reportedly weighing pre-emptive pardons for junior officials who carried out President Donald Trump's agenda. Pardoning every junior staffer is seen as unlikely. But blanket cover for whole policy areas such as deportations, trade and war is under discussion. Trump told reporters it would be 'very unfair' for his people to endure another four years of 'corrupt weaponization'.

Trump cited Joe Biden, who pardoned Anthony Fauci and retired Gen. Mark Milley before leaving office.

Earlier this month, Trump told Time magazine: 'Yeah, sure I'd do that.'

In April, Karoline Leavitt told critics to 'take a joke' but said his pardon power was 'absolute'.