Republican senators urge Trump to avoid pardon controversies

Republican senators say President TrumpDonald John Trump The Federal Watchdog accuses VOA’s parent company of wrongdoing in connection with a complaint named by Trump. should proceed with caution in granting pardons during his final weeks in office.

They want him to follow federal procedures, which give the Office of the Pardon Attorney a role in reviewing pardon applications. As GOP senators acknowledge that Trump has broad authority over forgiveness, they hope to avoid a political outcry over last-minute pardons from personalities around him – like family members, his lawyer. Rudy GiulianiRudy Giuliani Choking – not cheating – was Trump’s loss Republicans breaking list grows longer for Trump to rampage over election results for 46 minutes in new video post MORE, former advisers or wealthy donors.

Trump discussed possible pardons for his three oldest children, Donald Trump Jr., Eric trumpEric Frederick TrumpTrump discussed possible pardons for three oldest children, Kushner: Lara Trump report reflects on 2022 North Carolina Senate: Juan Williams report: Trump defeat is in legal danger MORE and Ivanka trumpIvana (Ivanka) Marie TrumpIvanka Trump testifies in trial alleging misuse of groundbreaking funds Trump discussed possible pardons for three eldest children, Kushner: Comedy duo bring back posters’ Ivanka Trump Not Wanted ” in New York PLUS, as well as his son-in-law Jared kushnerJared Corey Kushner Ivanka Trump Deposes in Lawsuit Alleging Abuse of Groundbreaking Funds On The Money: Fundraising Bill Hits A Snag As Closure Deadline Approaches Pelosi and Schumer Approve 8 billion plan as the basis for stimulus talks | Poll: Most Americans Support Raising Taxes on Those Earning at Least 0K Trump Organization, Kushner Businesses Received Pandemic Relief Loans: Report READ MORE and Giuliani, according to the New York Times.

There is also speculation that Trump will forgive himself as a shield against future federal claims. Such a move, however, would not protect him from national and local investigations.

The Manhattan District Attorney is investigating the Trump organization for taking tax write-offs on consultant fees. District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s office also said it was investigating possible bank and insurance fraud.

His. Susan collinsSusan Margaret Collins Mark Kelly sworn in at Senate seat Biden dismisses criticism of budget candidates Scammers step up efforts to target older Americans during pandemic MORE (R-Maine) Wednesday suggested it would be wise for the president to follow the recommendations of the Justice Department’s prosecutor’s office.

“In general, I think presidents should take the advice of the rehabilitation office which is part of the justice ministry,” she said. “But the president’s power of grace is very broad.”

His. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph Toomey Court of Appeals declares NSA bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford steps down as chair of coronavirus watch group GOP senators are pushing for swift and partial reopening of the PLUS economy (R-Pa.) Said he saw the story of Trump’s consideration of pardons for his family members and Giuliani, but was unsure “if there was anything to say.”

“I think pardons should be used very judiciously,” he said.

His. Chuck grassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyGrassley suggests moderate Democrats for next Agriculture Secretary Democrats consider leaving the House on December 11 due to COVID-19 A need to re-authorize the Seniors Justice Act MORE (R-Iowa), who is slated to take the chair of the Judicial Committee next year, agreed with Collins that “the process should be followed.”

“The Constitution gives him exclusive power. Even though I didn’t agree with [a pardon], as I disagreed with Clinton on Rich, ”Grassley noted, he had little recourse to push back.

Grassley spoke of the scandal that followed after former President Clinton pardoned runaway financier Marc Rich as he stepped down in 2001.

Clinton pardoned Rich, who was indicted for allegedly evading $ 48 million in taxes and charged with 51 counts of tax evasion, during his last week in office. He also pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton and his former business partner Susan McDougal.

His. Mike RoundsMike Rounds Republican Senators Urge Trump to Avoid Pardon Controversies Financial Crimes Bill to Stop Defense Measure Night Defense: Defense Bill Moves Forward Despite Trump’s Threat of Veto on Tech Fight Government funding bill hits a snag | Top General Discussions on Afghanistan, Pentagon Budget READ MORE (RS.D.), a former governor, said the power to pardon “should always be exercised after careful consideration”.

“I hope and think the president feels the same,” he said.

Trump made headlines last week when he pardoned his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before the takeover. Trump’s office.

He was the only White House official convicted in the Justice Department’s investigation into allegations of collusion between Trump’s advisers and the Russian government.

Rounds, however, said he wasn’t too troubled by Flynn’s forgiveness.

“Based on what is coming out right now, it seems there were a lot of things involving his convictions and the way he was treated that would never have happened if the law had been followed,” he said. -he declares. “These are the types of things for which a presidential pardon is warranted, that is, to try to fix something that was done wrong in the first place.”

Rounds declined to comment on the possibility that Trump could forgive his former campaign chairman Paul ManafortPaul John Manafort For Trump haters everything is a crime 3 takeaways from forgiveness Michael Flynn Flynn raises question of who Trump could forgive MORE, who was sentenced to more than seven years in prison because of a former special advocate Robert muellerRobert (Bob) MuellerBarr Calls in Attorney Investigating Origins of Russia Inquiry as CNN Special Advisor, Toobin Warns McCabe is in ‘Perilous State’ with Emboldened Trump Anchor CNN Rips Trump on Stone while referring to Clinton-Lynch meeting on the tarmac MOREin order to. Manafort was released at home with health problems in May.

He also declined to comment on a possible pardon from former Trump campaign strategist Stephen Bannon, who was arrested in August on charges of defrauding donors as part of a private campaign to raise funds for a Mexican-American border wall.

“Forgiveness is very powerful. The president has that authority, but you do it after serious thought and thought, and I hope the president will approach it that way, ”he said.

His. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyMark Kelly Sworn In To Senate Seat Bipartisan, bicameral group unveils $ 8 billion coronavirus proposal The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – Angst GOP in Georgia; the confirmation fight is looming MORE (R-Utah), a critic of the president, cautioned that Trump does not forgive his family members to protect them from potential lawsuits under the Biden administration, as it would create negative association when they do not ‘were charged with no crime.

“It’s clearly the president’s choice. The challenge of forgiving members of your own family is that it suggests that there may have been criminal activity that no family would want to associate with it, ”he said.

Romney said the advice that Trump was working with the pardon attorney’s office “seems like a fair recommendation.”

Donald Trump Jr. was investigated by Mueller into his contacts with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign, including a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower in which Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, promised to “smear” the Democratic candidate. Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Congratulates Clinton Clinton on Elliot Page Announcement Biden Dismisses Criticism of Budget Candidate Mellman: Mired in Partisanship MORE.

Kushner has been scrutinized in the media for the information he provided to obtain a security clearance.

Trump tweeted in June 2018 that “as many jurists have said, I have the absolute right to FORGIVE myself”, but also added “why would I do this when I have done nothing wrong ? “

Some GOP senators wonder why Trump would need to forgive family members, as none of them face charges.

“I don’t know what crimes they are facing. I see no criminal responsibility for anyone in his family, ”Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham Despite threat of veto, Congress presses defense bill, GOP urges Trump not to tank defense bill due to technological struggle (RS.C.) said Wednesday.