President Donald Trump said he anticipates issuing "tremendous numbers" of pardons before concluding his term, adding that while he possesses the power to pardon himself, he does not expect to do so.
During an interview, Trump stated his intention to pardon individuals who he believes have been unfairly treated, including those who "got within a thousand miles of the Oval Office" during his presidency. He justified this by saying he doesn't want "good people that are serving this country and doing a great job spending the rest of their life like I had to do for four years defending myself by radical left lunatics, by people that were very nasty and mean."
Trump also defended his earlier decision to pardon individuals convicted in relation to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He characterized the treatment of these individuals as "very unfair," and noted that many still express distress when they see him. When questioned about pardoning those who attacked police, Trump acknowledged "some that got rough, but you know, they were rough to them, too."
In a previous instance, President Joe Biden issued pardons to close family members and senior administration officials in the final days of his presidency, citing relentless attacks and threats motivated by a desire to hurt him. Biden also preemptively pardoned figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and lawmakers who served on the House Jan. 6 Committee.
Trump had previously commented on Biden's pardons, suggesting the president should have also pardoned himself. In 2024, the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States granted Trump sweeping immunity from prosecution, a ruling applicable to all U.S. presidents.
During his current term, Trump issued a broad series of pardons for defendants charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack, commuting the sentences of 14 individuals and extending a "full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021." At that time, approximately 1,500 people were expected to receive pardons.