Judicial Panel issues subpoena against Trump's alleged offer to pardon DHS officials

The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed the Department of Homeland Security's documents related to President Donald Trump's purported offer to forgive officials who break the law while fulfilling his wishes regarding immigration policy.

Trump denied making the offer, and his allies claimed that his in-camera comments – revealed in the media – were jokes. But Democrats say they want to see the archives from within the department, especially while the Judiciary Committee is considering whether to recommend impeachment items to the entire House.

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"The editors do not consider the use of presidential pardon power to encourage criminal acts on the order of the president," said in a statement the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerry Nadler. "While the committee is continuing its investigation into the advisability of recommending acts of impeachment, it is imperative that we be able to obtain information about presidential failings and ongoing abuses of power."

The subpoena, addressed to DHS Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan, requires an answer by September 17 at 10:00.