The following article by David Nakamura was posted on the Washington Post website July 22, 2017:
President Trump asserted Saturday morning that he has “complete power to pardon” in an apparent allusion to the ongoing probe into his campaign’s contacts with Russian officials. And he lashed out at a new Washington Post reportof previously undisclosed alleged contacts, calling the disclosures “illegal leaks” as he continues to try to shift the public focus to what he has said is a partisan attempt to undermine his presidency.
The president’s defense of his pardon powers came days after The Post reported that he and his legal team have discussed his power to pardon aides, family members and, possibly, even himself. Trump aides said the president is merely curious about his powers and the limits of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation into Russia’s attempt to tamper with the 2016 presidential election. Continue reading “In tweet storm, Trump decries ‘illegal leaks’ and asserts ‘all agree’ he has complete power to pardon”