US President Donald Trump has left open the possibility of granting pre-emptive pardons to close political allies and associates if Democrats win the midterm elections and move ahead with investigations targeting members of his circle.
Speaking to Miranda Devine of the New York Post, Trump said he was prepared to protect individuals who had worked with him should they face criminal proceedings.
When asked whether he would consider issuing pre-emptive pardons, Trump responded unequivocally.
"I won't even think about it, I'll do it."
He pointed to his decision to pardon individuals involved in the 6 January 2021 Capitol attack, noting that he had already taken similar action in the past.
Upon returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump granted pardons to hundreds of supporters linked to the assault on the US Capitol.
Musk emerges as a key focus
Trump made particular reference to Elon Musk, one of the Republican Party's most prominent donors and a close political ally.
According to a report by Politico, Democratic lawmakers are considering using congressional committees to investigate Musk's activities and those of his businesses should they gain control of Congress.
Potential areas of scrutiny reportedly include:
- Federal workforce reductions implemented through the DOGE government efficiency initiative
- The role of Musk's satellite services in Ukraine
- Possible conflicts of interest involving government contracts and subsidies awarded to SpaceX and Tesla
Asked whether legal proceedings against Musk were a possibility, Trump initially downplayed the reports before indicating that he would intervene if threats became reality.
Trump vows extensive use of veto power
The president also addressed the possibility of Republicans losing control of Congress, warning that he would make extensive use of his presidential veto authority.
Trump described himself as a future "Mr Veto", suggesting he would block Democratic legislation until lawmakers agreed to negotiate with him.
He also referenced the pre-emptive pardons granted by former president Joe Biden to members of his family and other individuals shortly before leaving office.
The comments come amid an increasingly intense political battle ahead of the midterm elections, with Democrats accusing Trump and members of his administration of benefiting financially and engaging in conflicts of interest during his second term in office.
