Trump plans tremendous numbers of pardons in second half of term
Trump outlines pardon plans
In a “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday, Trump said he intends to issue “tremendous numbers” of pardons. He suggested the recipients could include people who “got within a thousand miles of the Oval Office” during his term. Trump said he has the power to pardon himself, but does not expect to do so. Asked about self-pardoning, he called it “not unreasonable.”
Defense of Jan. 6 pardons
At the start of his second term, Trump pardoned people convicted of offenses tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He also commuted the sentences of 14 people.
Trump said the Jan. 6 defendants had been treated unfairly and said some cried when they saw him. Asked about those who attacked police, he acknowledged that some “got rough,” then said officers had also been rough to them.
Biden’s final pardons
Biden said his family had faced persistent attacks and threats intended to hurt him, and that he had no reason to believe they would stop. Trump had criticized Biden for not pardoning himself and earlier suggested he should have done so.
Presidential immunity ruling
The Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Trump vs. US granted Trump sweeping immunity from prosecution. The ruling applies to all U.S. presidents, including Biden.
Key points
- Trump says he plans many pardons before leaving office, potentially for people near the Oval Office.
- He says he does not expect to pardon himself, though he called self-pardoning “not unreasonable.”
- Trump defended his pardons for people convicted in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
- Biden issued several pardons in 2025, including for family members and senior officials.