Trump Floats Mass Pardons for Administration

Insiders say he's joked about pardoning anyone who came within 200 feet of Oval Office

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:18am

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A solitary figure sits alone in a dimly lit West Wing office, the warm glow of sunlight casting deep shadows across the room, conveying a sense of uncertainty and unease about the potential abuse of presidential pardons.The looming specter of mass pardons casts a long shadow over the final days of the Trump administration.Washington Today

According to sources familiar with his private comments, President Trump has repeatedly joked to aides and advisers that he'll pardon essentially anyone who has been near him in the West Wing, at one point saying he'd clear "everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval." The president has also floated the idea of a farewell news conference to announce sweeping pardons for administration officials, though the White House has pushed back on criticism of the comments.

Why it matters

Trump's approach to pardons has been controversial, with the president embracing his pardon power and issuing pardons to allies, donors, and those involved in the Capitol riot. This latest report raises concerns about potential abuse of the pardon power in the final days of the administration.

The details

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has repeatedly joked to aides and advisers that he'll pardon essentially anyone who has been near him in the West Wing, at one point saying he'd clear "everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval." He has also raised pardons when aides worry that decisions could lead to prosecutions or congressional inquiries. The president has floated the idea of a farewell news conference to announce sweeping pardons for administration officials, though the White House has pushed back on criticism of the comments.

  • Earlier this year, Trump delivered a similar line but put the distance from the Oval Office at 10 feet.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has embraced his pardon power and issued pardons to allies, donors, and those involved in the Capitol riot.

Karoline Leavitt

The White House press secretary who pushed back on criticism of Trump's comments, stating that "the President's pardon power is absolute."

Michael LaRosa

A former Biden aide who said Biden "cracked the door open" on the boundaries of the pardon power, and "we can't now complain about Donald Trump walking through it, even if he blows it wide open."

Stephanie Grisham

A former White House press secretary who said that during Trump's first term, he rarely mentioned pardoning aides, though he joked about pardoning her for violating the Hatch Act.

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What they’re saying

“The Wall Street Journal should learn to take a joke, however, the President's pardon power is absolute.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary

“Biden 'cracked the door open' on boundaries of the pardon power, and 'we can't now complain about Donald Trump walking through it, even if he blows it wide open.'”

— Michael LaRosa, Former Biden aide

“Who cares? You know who is the boss of the Hatch Act, and I'll pardon you.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Trump will follow through on his reported plans to issue mass pardons for administration officials, and how such actions would be received by the public and lawmakers.

The takeaway

This report highlights the ongoing concerns about the potential abuse of the presidential pardon power, particularly in the final days of an administration. It also raises questions about the boundaries and norms surrounding the use of this executive authority.