US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump has suggested to aides he wants to pardon himself in the final days of his presidency, in a move that would mark one of the most extraordinary and untested uses of presidential power in American history.
A report by the New York Times on Thursday said the revelation was made by two people with knowledge of the discussions.
Mr. Trump reportedly told advisers in several conversations since Election Day that he is considering giving himself a pardon.
The New York Times says it was not clear whether he has broached the topic since he incited his supporters yesterday to storm the Capitol in a mob attack.
Mr. Trump has long maintained he has the power to pardon himself.
He has also become increasingly convinced that his perceived enemies will use the levers of law enforcement to target him after he leaves office.
The legitimacy of prospective self-clemency has never been tested in the justice system and legal scholars are divided about whether the courts would recognize it.
However, they agree a presidential self-pardon could create a dangerous new precedent for presidents to unilaterally declare they are above the law and to insulate themselves from being held accountable for any crimes they commit in office.
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