WASHINGTON (US) – It appears that US President Donald Trump is opting not to issue a pardon for himself as he prepares a list of more than 100 pardons and commutations for release on Tuesday, said a source.
According to White House advisers, Trump has discussed with advisers whether to go ahead with the extraordinary step of pardoning himself. But some officials have warned him against a self-pardon as it would make him look guilty.
Many scholars argue that issuing a self-pardon is unconstitutional as it violates the basic principle that nobody should be the judge in his or her own case.
But there are those who argue that a self-pardon is constitutional as the pardon power is very broadly explained in the Constitution. There are historical texts explaining how the founders of the nation discussed self-pardons but did not include an explicit limitation on that power.
The president was impeached by the House of Representatives led by the Democrats last week on charges of inciting violence at the US Capitol. His case will come up before the Senate for trial and if convicted, Trump would be disqualified from seeking another run in 2024.
As per the source, the president does not plan to pardon himself nor issue pre-emptive pardons for his family members. This aspect was also discussed in private with experts.
Last month, Trump had issued two sets of pardons and he met advisers on Sunday to finalise a list of more than 100 pardons and commutations.
According to CNN, Dr Salomon Melgen, a noted ophthalmologist from Palm Beach, who is in jail after being convicted of dozens of counts of healthcare fraud, is slated to be pardoned.
As per the source, the clemencies are expected to be issued on the president’s last full day in office on Tuesday. He will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and will leave on Wednesday morning for his post-presidency at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. His presidency ends at noon on Wednesday.