Trump Now Talking Presidential Pardons as He Targets, Tries to Block Special Counsel Robert Mueller

Obama Attorney General Holder Warns Trump

President Donald Trump is now inquiring about the scope of his power to pardon people, including himself, and he is targeting Robert Mueller, attempting to discredit the special prosecutor and constrain his investigation.

“Trump has asked his advisers about his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the probe,” according to the Washington Post. “A second person said Trump’s lawyers have been discussing the president’s pardoning powers among themselves.”

The Post cautioned that Trump isn’t actively looking to pardon himself.

“This is not in the context of, ‘I can’t wait to pardon myself,’ ” a close adviser said.

And Mueller is under the microscope, with the Trump team wanting to limit his powers. That follows Trump’s direct threat during his Wednesday New York Times interview, in which he cautioned Mueller to not look into the Trump family’s business finances. (Mueller is looking into the Trump family’s business finances.)

“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 Post adds.

The Trump team is looking for ways to discredit one of this nation’s most respected law enforcement officers, former FBI Director Robert Mueller.

“Trump’s lawyers are working to corral the probe and question the propriety of the special counsel’s work. They are actively compiling a list of Mueller’s alleged potential conflicts of interest, which they say could serve as a way to stymie his work, according to several of Trump’s legal advisers.”

Maddow gives a breakdown:

Obama-era Attorney General Eric Holder weighed in overnight:

One of America’s least credible politicians, Newt Gingrich, a strong Trump ally and the attack dog the Trump team trots out when they are in crisis mode, went after Mueller overnight, serivng up an inane argument:

Apparently, this latest rage from the President all comes down to money. His money. His businesses. His financial dealings with Russia, or Russians. Which seems now to be why he has always refused to release his tax returns. But what he didn’t know is Special Counsel Robert Mueller has the authority to investigate Trump’s tax returns and all his finances, and doesn’t even need to notify Trump.

“The president is also irritated by the notion that Mueller’s probe could reach into his and his family’s finances, advisers said,” th Washington Post continues, noting that “Trump has been fuming about the probe in recent weeks as he has been informed about the legal questions that he and his family could face.”

“His primary frustration centers on why allegations that his campaign coordinated with Russia should spread into scrutinizing many years of Trump dealmaking. He has told aides he was especially disturbed after learning Mueller would be able to access several years of his tax returns.”

Trump’s private attorney, who has his own possible financial improprieties, told the Post they are looking to constrict the scope of Mueller’s investigation.

“The scope is going to have to stay within his mandate. If there’s drifting, we’re going to object,” Jay Sekulow said.

And he then tried to turn the tables on Mueller.

“The fact is that the president is concerned about conflicts that exist within the special counsel’s office and any changes in the scope of the investigation.”

Many legal experts are now concerned Trump will fire Mueller. That would lead to a constitutional crisis.

Fomer U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara:

MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell weighed in also:

 

 

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr