TCT-G-03 · Government
Trump had an “absolute right” to pardon himself
Statement and context
“As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself.” — 2018-06-04, Twitter.
“As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself.” — 2018-06-04, Twitter.
What the evidence shows
No president has self-pardoned and no federal court has decided its validity. A 1974 Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel memorandum concluded that a president cannot pardon himself because no one may judge his own case. See the OLC memorandum.
Unverifiable. “Absolute” overstates an unresolved constitutional question and conflicts with DOJ’s standing published analysis, but there is no controlling judicial holding.
Sources and attribution
Tracker research synthesis; inspect the linked evidence and research record.