Overview
- The Wall Street Journal, which published its report Friday, described Trump telling aides he would "pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval," a line earlier phrased as "10 feet."
- The White House press secretary said the newspaper should "learn to take a joke" and asserted that the president's pardon power is absolute.
- People familiar with the conversations said they have seen no specific offers or lists, and recalled Trump once musing about a news conference to announce mass clemency.
- Trump has used clemency about 1,600 times this term, a federal power that cannot erase state convictions.
- Former Justice Department officials warned that repeated hints of pardons could embolden staff who worry about possible Democratic-led House investigations.