Trump says he would be 'allowed' to pardon thousands of staffers as White House lawyers weigh blanket clemency

President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday it would be 'very unfair' for his staff to suffer the 'corrupt weaponization' he faced, and cited Joe Biden's pre-emptive pardons as precedent. A pardon for every junior official is seen as unlikely. Clemency could instead cover whole policy areas such as deportations, trade and military operations. The fear is Democrat-led probes after next month's midterms.

Heritage Foundation and American Moment urged pardons or legal-bill funds for junior staffers.

Article III Project's Mike Davis wants 'very broad preemptive pardons' after Elissa Slotkin's probe warning.

In April, Karoline Leavitt said the president's pardon power is 'absolute'.