‘I’d do it’: Trump says he would consider pre-emptive pardons for all admin staff if Democrats pursue prosecutions

US President Donald Trump has said he would consider issuing pre-emptive pardons to people who served in his administration if Democrats pursue criminal cases against them after potentially gaining control of Congress.In an interview with The New York Post's Miranda Devine for her Pod Force One podcast, Trump was asked whether he would grant pardons to protect former and current administration officials from possible prosecution.“I would if I needed to. Sure,” he said.When asked whether the offer would extend to everyone who had worked for him, Trump reaffirmed his position, saying: “I’d do it. I did it for J6.”Trump was referring to his decision to pardon around 1,500 defendants charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. He signed the pardons on his first day back in office in January 2025.The president also pointed to former President Joe Biden's use of presidential clemency shortly before leaving office. Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to Dr Anthony Fauci, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, members and staff of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack, and several members of his family, including his son Hunter Biden.“That’s what Biden did. He gave everybody a pardon,” Trump said.Trump also criticised the congressional committee that investigated the Capitol attack, referring to it as the “unselect committee” and a “corrupt committee”.His comments come amid calls from some Democrats to investigate and prosecute members of the Trump administration if the party gains control of Congress in the midterm elections.Last month, Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan said at an event at the University of Chicago that a Democratic majority should pursue what she described as “signature cases” against people who enabled Trump's administration. She said the prospect of prosecution could discourage young conservatives from accepting government positions.“I want that deterrence message sent,” Slotkin said.In footage recorded by an undercover journalist on Thursday, Slotkin reportedly outlined plans for congressional committees to pursue individual investigations and hold officials accountable from January.Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who could become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee if Democrats win control of the chamber, has also pledged to investigate what he has described as “systemic corruption” within the administration.Other proposals targeting people associated with the administration have also emerged from the political left. Former Labour Secretary Robert Reich has called for Democrats to lay the groundwork for nationalising SpaceX, while some commentators have suggested that staff members of the Department of Government Efficiency, including Edward Coristine, should face scrutiny.During the interview, Devine also raised the possibility that Democrats might target billionaire Elon Musk or seek his arrest. Trump dismissed the prospect, saying: “It won’t happen. It’s talk.”“But if it is talk, we’ll have to protect them,” he added.However, presidential pardons have constitutional limits. They apply to federal offences and cannot prevent state-level prosecutions, civil lawsuits or impeachment proceedings.Asked whether Democrats might also pursue action against him personally, Trump was less certain.“Well, I don’t know about me,” he said.The president also questioned polling that indicated Democrats were favoured to gain control of the House of Representatives. He described the surveys as “rigged” and pointed to attendance at his campaign rallies as evidence that Republicans could perform better than expected.“We’ll know on Tuesday night,” Trump said.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.