Trump admin weighs 'mass pardons' for junior staffers as controversial move looms: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing whether to issue mass pardons for junior staffers.
According to a report from The Washington Sun on Saturday, October 24, legal teams are studying how broadly President Trump could extend clemency to protect personnel from future investigations, prosecutions or mounting legal expenses.
Staffers in specific roles are more likely to be pardoned
The outlet reported that one source said a pardon for all junior administration staff is unlikely. However, Trump could issue blanket pardons for employees involved in specific policy areas, such as deportations, war or trade.
Trump has previously said he was interested in pardoning some administration officials, but current discussions involve a much larger number of White House staff than previously reported.
After returning to White House in 2025, Trump has issued several pardons, which have also ignited controversy.
Conservative groups push for pardons or legal defense funds
The report also claimed that conservative organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and American Moment have pressed the Trump administration to either issue mass pardons to staffers or collect funds for the legal fees necessary to defend junior staffers from criminal and congressional probes or potential lawsuits.
Mike Davis, a prominent Trump supporter who leads the conservative legal group Article III Project, said he also plans to push the White House to take action.
The efforts to consider mass pardons apparently intensified after Sen Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) said earlier this month that congressional investigations into Trump officials should send a message to keep youth from joining the Trump administration in its final two years.
“After listening to Elissa Slotkin threatening to go after young people who joined the Trump administration, President Trump should issue very broad preemptive pardons for anyone who worked for him or in his orbit,” Davis told The Sun on Friday.
DOJ investigates longtime Trump aide Corey Lewandowski
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice is looking forward to probe allegations of contract misconduct against longtime Trump aide Corey Lewandowski.
“All I know is, I want my people to be honest. And if they’re not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted,” Trump told reporters after the Lewandowski news broke.
"The president has been very clear he knows the personal, professional and financial risks of Democratic lawfare against people who are affiliated with him and serve him," Nick Solheim, chief executive officer of American Moment, was quoted as saying.
“Political appointees operate on behalf of the president, and I don’t have any assumptions other than that the left will do everything in its power to hunt down conservatives who are implementing the president’s agenda,” he added.
Former President Joe Biden issued more acts of clemency than any previous president.
He also issued “preemptive pardons” to prominent allies, including several members of his own family, top medical adviser Anthony Fauci and retired Gen Mark Milley.
Trump granted clemency to roughly 1,700 people in his second term as of June, according to Reuters.
