Newly announced White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Friday that President Trump has the authority to pardon family and friends if anyone is found to have colluded with Russia in last November’s election, but said there no plans to take this step at this point.
“The president maintains pardon powers like any president would, but there are no announcements or planned announcements on that front whatsoever,” Sanders told reporters.
This week, Trump was reported to have asked his advisers about his ability to pardon aides, family members and himself if others are found guilty for actions related to colluding with Russia in last year’s election.
Trump said the FBI would be crossing a line if special counsel Robert Mueller chose to investigate the Trump Organization’s business ties and finances as part of his investigation into Trump’s alleged ties to Russia. His legal team is looking for possible conflicts of interest among members of special counsel Robert Mueller’s team of Russia investigators, according to multiple reports Friday.
Part of the investigation into the investigators will look at the political affiliations and work history of each member.
