Trump finding ways to ‘pardon’ family, aides amid Russia probe

Washington, July 21 

US President Donald Trump’s legal defence team is exploring ways to grant presidential pardons to his family members and aides amid reports that Special Counsel Robert Mueller was looking into their finances as part of his Russia probe, according to a media report.

Trump has asked his advisers about his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the probe, The Washington Post quoted one of the people familiar with the effort.

Trump is fighting allegations his presidential campaign colluded with Russians to get him elected last year. Last month reports emerged that Trump was considering firing Mueller, drawing criticism from both Democrat and Republican lawmakers.

According to the Post, a second person said Trump’s lawyers have been discussing the President’s pardoning powers among themselves.

“Some of President Trump’s lawyers are exploring ways to limit or undercut special counsel Robert S Mueller III’s Russia investigation, building a case against what they allege are his conflicts of interest and discussing the President’s authority to grant pardons, according to people familiar with the effort,” the report said. 

The special counsel, meanwhile, has asked White House officials to preserve any records of a meeting last year between the President's son and a Russian lawyer, according to a source with knowledge of the request.

Reacting strongly to the report, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi in a late night statement called for full disclosure of the presidential pardons.

“Tomorrow, in response to a report that President Trump is considering pardoning his aides, or his relatives, or even himself to avoid potential criminal charges, I will be formally calling upon the White House Counsel to publicly disclose all presidential pardons,” Krishnamoorthi said.

“If President Trump were to pardon himself or his aides — especially in secret before any charges have even been brought — that would sabotage a federal investigation. We need full transparency of the President’s exercise of pardon power now,” he said. — PTI

Sessions won’t resign despite Trump’s censure  

• Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said he planned to remain at his post despite President Donald Trump slamming the Justice Department head for recusing himself from the Russia probe, Efe reported 
• I have the honour of serving as attorney general… and I plan to continue to do so as long as that is appropriate,” Sessions said

WH spokesman spicer quits

• White House spokesman Sean Spicer resigned on Friday, telling President Donald Trump that he vehemently disagreed with the appointment of New York financier Anthony Scaramucci as communications director
• Trump reportedly requested Spicer to stay on, but Spicer told him that he believed the appointment was a major mistake