WASHINGTON, D.C. (WBEN) On his last full day in office, senior administration officials say President Trump is expected to issue 100 pardons or commutations.
"We're expecting dozens and dozens of pardons to come down in the
final few hours of this presidency," said Dave Levinthal, Senior Correspondent
for Business Insider and WBEN political contributor.
"If we go by what we have seen so far, pardons and requests for clemency have
gone to people who are close to Donald Trump; political supporters and people
close to his family." Levinthal said It could be more of the same, or names that might surprise people, like rapper Lil Wayne.
It's not yet known who Mr. Trump plans on pardoning, and there has been plenty of
speculation about whether the president will pardon himself. "That is something that is constitutionally dubious, and would almost certainly trigger a legal challenge," said Levinthal.
Trump has largely been out of sight in the final days of his presidency. He has not made a single public appearance since a deadly riot at the US Capitol on January 6.
Many of the alleged Capitol rioters argue that they entered the Capitol at the "invitation" of President Trump, following his direct orders. Many are making a last-minute case for clemency to avert prosecution.
A blanket pardon is not out of the question, says Levinthal. "That is something that the president has the power to do. The constitution gives great latitude to any US President to pardon people for federal crimes. Anyone involved in the riot at the Capitol, if they are facing federal charges, or could be facing federal charges, the president could wipe that all away. It would not affect charges at the state or local level for the attack on the Capitol.
Next for Trump is a monument to his legacy. He has several options according to Levinthal. "If the president wants to build a privately funded Presidential library, he has the ability to do that. He would have to raise the money. But if he wants a traditional presidential library like the ones that most modern presidents have had, which would be partially privately, partially publicly funded, that may be more difficult for President Trump".
The White House has invited guests to an 8 a.m. Wednesday sendoff ceremony for the president at Joint Base Andrews, four hours ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
