Trump Moves to Protect Close Aides Until the End... Growing Concerns Over Self-Pardon Beyond Close Aides

Trump Pardons Mike Flynn, National Security Advisor
Uses Pardon Power After DOJ Blocks Dismissal of Charges
Concerns Grow Over Excessive Use of Pardons
Some Raise Possibility of Self-Pardon

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly pardoned his closest aide, former White House National Security Council (NSC) advisor Michael Flynn, who is on trial for making false statements related to the 'Russia scandal.' The Department of Justice attempted to prevent Flynn from being punished by dropping the charges, but when faced with opposition from the court, Trump took the politically risky step of issuing a pardon. With less than two months left in his term, there are concerned forecasts that President Trump may excessively use his pardon power during the remaining period, including pardoning himself.

On the 25th (local time), President Trump tweeted, "I am honored to announce that General Flynn has received a full pardon," adding, "Congratulations to General Flynn and his family. I know they will have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving."

Former White House National Security Council (NSC) Advisor Michael Flynn [Photo by Reuters]

The pardoned former advisor Flynn is a retired Army Lieutenant General and was a key witness in the 'Russia scandal,' which involved allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In January 2017, during an FBI investigation, Flynn twice stated that he had no contact with Russian officials. However, it was later confirmed that he had consulted with the Russian ambassador regarding the lifting of sanctions imposed by the Obama administration, leading to charges of perjury.

Since last year, Flynn reversed his statements, claiming that FBI agents conducted the investigation unfairly. The Department of Justice submitted a motion to the court to drop the charges, citing issues in the prosecution process. Local media such as The New York Times interpreted this as an attempt to avoid the political burden of Trump pardoning an aide. However, when the court rejected the motion, making trial proceedings inevitable, President Trump exercised his pardon power.

The Democratic Party reacted strongly to President Trump's use of the pardon power. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said, "Flynn chose loyalty to Trump over his country," and added, "Trump's pardon is intended to escape criminal investigation."

President Trump's arbitrary use of the pardon power has been controversial multiple times. In July this year, he was criticized for effectively pardoning Roger Stone, a longtime associate of 40 years, by commuting his sentence. He also pardoned Bernard Kerik, former New York City Police Commissioner, and Michael Milken, a junk bond financier.

U.S. media have raised concerns that President Trump might hold a so-called 'pardon party' before leaving office, forgiving a slew of his aides' wrongdoings. It is anticipated that the next targets could include Paul Manafort, who was the Trump campaign chairman in 2016, as well as Rick Gates and George Papadopoulos. All of them have been indicted in connection with the Russia scandal. CNN reported, "President Trump likely has a long list of pardons to issue," adding, "The key question is whether he will pardon himself at the end of his term." Trump previously mentioned in 2018, right after the Russia scandal investigation concluded, that "according to legal scholars, the president has the right to pardon himself."

CNN noted that the U.S. Constitution does not include a clause prohibiting a president from pardoning himself, presumably because it was assumed no president would make such a brazen choice.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.