Congressman Krishnamoorthi Calls For Full Disclosure Of Presidential Pardons As President Trump Weighs Pardoning Himself, Aides, And Relatives

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to the Washington Post’s report that President Trump and his legal team have explored his power to pardon as a means of disrupting Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election:

“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. 

Our founders established a presidential power to pardon to protect the American people from their government, not for a president to protect himself or his associates from justice. If President Trump were to pardon himself or his associates - 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."