A pardon for Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is “not off the table”, the president has said, prompting fears he will use his executive power to protect friends and
By Chad Day, Associated Press
November 29 2018 7:32 AM
A pardon for Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is “not off the table”, the president has said, prompting fears he will use his executive power to protect friends and supporters caught up in the Russia probe.
The president’s discussion of a possible pardon in an interview with the New York Post came days after special counsel Robert Mueller said Manafort had breached his plea deal by repeatedly lying to investigators.
Manafort denies that he lied.
Mr Trump’s remarks are the latest sign of his disdain for the Russia investigation, which has dogged him for two years and ensnared members of his inner circle.
While the disgusting Fake News is doing everything within their power not to report it that way, at least 3 major players are intimating that the Angry Mueller Gang of Dems is viciously telling witnesses to lie about facts & they will get relief. This is our Joseph McCarthy Era!
In recent weeks, the president, armed with inside information provided to his lawyers by Manafort’s legal team, has sharpened his attacks, seizing on what he claims are dirty tactics employed by the special counsel and accusing investigators of pressuring witnesses to lie.
In the interview, Mr Trump likened the Russia probe to senator Joe McCarthy’s pursuit of communists in the 1950s.
“We are in the McCarthy era. This is no better than McCarthy,” he told the newspaper.
Asked about a pardon for Manafort, Mr Trump said: “It was never discussed, but I wouldn’t take it off the table. Why would I take it off the table?”
Trump threatens to declassify ‘devastating’ docs about Democrats https://t.co/7u59BMFTtL pic.twitter.com/AGfwK0VCsP
He only has the power to pardon for federal charges. A pardon would not shield Manafort from prosecution for state charges, although he is not currently facing any.
