Trump plans to pardon 'everyone who has come within 200 ft' of Oval Office before term ends: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has reportedly offered to pardon many of his top officials before leaving office, according to people who have heard him make the comments.
According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, the president promised in a closed-door meeting to "pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval Office."
Trump reportedly plans mass pardons for top aides
President Trump has consistently signaled his intent to protect his staff through his constitutional pardon power.
"I’ll pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval," Trump stated in the meeting, according to individuals with knowledge of the comments.
This follows earlier remarks where he mentioned a 10-foot radius, showing a clear intent to cover those who have served his administration.
In a specific conversation in 2025 with the advisers in the dining room, the president said he would host a formal news conference and announce mass pardons before he left office.
The Republican leader has utilized his authority to issue approximately 1,600 grants of clemency during his current term, often directing them toward political allies and campaign donors.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the reports by stating, "The Wall Street Journal should learn to take a joke; however, the president's pardon power is absolute."
Trump follows established presidential pardon precedent
The use of broad pardon power follows the actions of previous administrations, ensuring the current executive branch is treated with the same latitude.
Michael LaRosa, a former communications aide to former President Joe Biden, noted, "By testing the boundaries of the pardon power, Biden cracked the door open and we can't now complain about Donald Trump walking through it, even if he blows it wide open."
This precedent provides a framework for Trump to safeguard his administration against investigations into his control over the Justice Department.
Trump prioritizes loyalty in pardon decisions
A significant portion of President Trump’s second-term pardons includes 1,500 defendants charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack.
Former staff members, such as Stephanie Grisham, recall the president’s firm stance on protecting his team from rules like the Hatch Act.
Grisham recalled him saying, "Who cares? You know who is the boss of the Hatch Act, and I'll pardon you."
Former DOJ pardon attorney Liz Oyer observed that the president has "previewed many times his intent to use the pardon power to bail out those who carry out his agenda faithfully."
