President Donald Trump has discussed pardoning himself before his presidency ends, The New York Times reports. Also on the list for potential clemency are rappers Lil Wayne, convicted of possessing a weapon while a felon, Kodak Black, who is serving time for forgery, and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro’s ex-husband Albert Pirro, a former real estate associate of Trump’s and a convicted tax fraudster, Bloomberg reports. Trump has reportedly queried White House aides as to what the legal and political benefits and drawbacks would be and brought up preemptive pardons for several White House advisers and staff including his daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner, Stephen Miller, Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, and others. The White House Counsel’s office is now reportedly vetting the pardons, which the commander in chief plans to announce Jan. 19. No U.S. president has pardoned himself before, and the consequences of such an unprecedented action would likely face court challenges after Trump’s term ends on Jan. 20. It is not clear whether Trump raised the prospect of a self-pardon in response to his supporters’ riot at the Capitol building or earlier.
