Can President Trump pardon himself?
The president's new communications team takes the reins as the commander-in-chief is reportedly trying to fight back against the Russian investigation.
One of the many unprecedented circumstances surrounding President Trump and his administration could be his power to pardon himself.
The Washington Post reported that Trump is seeking to understand his pardon power- so now the question becomes what does that mean for him, his administration, and his top advisors in this ongoing investigation into Russian collusion?
It appears the special counsel's investigation into Russian meddling is widening with President Trump's business transactions now reportedly under the microscope.
The White House went on attack- Kellyanne Conway told Fox and Friends on Friday the probe has become a side show.
“This is just a witch-hunt. It's all a hoax. Now, they are going in all types of different directions,” she said.
Reports surfaced that the Trump team has been digging into the background history of Robert Mueller’s attorneys in a possible effort to discredit the investigation. One issue they’re zeroing in on publically-- donations made by Mueller’s team to democratic campaigns.
On Capitol Hill, it's raising concerns that the Trump Administration is laying the groundwork to ultimately fire Mueller.
When pressed on whether the president endorses his team's tactics, newly named Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded, I’m not aware of those details and that is something you’d have to ask his legal team. I’m not part of that process.”
Along with background on Mueller’s team, there are also reports the White House is exploring the president's authority to grant pardons amid the Russia probe-- specifically, his power to pardon aides, close family, and even himself.
“The president maintains pardon powers as any president would, but there are no announcements or planned announcements on that front whatsoever,” said Huckabee Sanders.
Trump attorney John Dowd meantime is calling the Washington Post report “not true and nonsense.”
He added the president's lawyers are cooperating with Mueller on behalf of Trump.
Of course, this all comes as several highly anticipated key figures are set to testify before congress next week including Jared Kushner, former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and Donald Trump Jr.