Barr, White House Counsel Told Trump Not To Self-Pardon

Former Attorney General William Barr and White House counsel Pat Cipollone reportedly told President Trump not to pardon himself, CNN reported on Monday

Multiple sources familiar with the matter told CNN that both Cipollone and Barr have recommended Trump avoid a self-pardon, which would apply to federal crimes, with the former attorney general giving such advice before resigning last month.

Barr reportedly pointed to a 1974 Justice Department legal memo that concludes a president should not pardon himself, although the process has not been tested.

“Under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, the President cannot pardon himself,” the memo reads.

The White House counsel has not requested the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel review the issue, two sources told the network.

CNN noted that both Barr and Cipollone previously defended Trump’s use of executive power but have recently broken with the president on his unfounded claims of widespread election fraud. Barr resigned after saying his department had found no evidence of fraud. Cipollone reportedly has also considered leaving the administration.

Read more at The Hill.

{Matzav.com}