Trump will consider pardon for associates named in Mueller investigation

Many wonder if the president’s former campaign adviser Paul Manafort and campaign aide George Papadoupoulos are among the names in consideration

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U.S. President Donald Trump (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In an interview with Sean Hannity, President Donald Trump stated that he is considering pardons for several individuals implicated in the Russian interference investigation conducted by the former special counsel, Robert Mueller

Trump said, “I’ve looked at a lot of different people. They’ve been treated extremely unfairly, and I think I probably would, yes.”

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The interview took place on Hannity’s show, last night. 

The president didn’t name specific individuals, but there are several to choose from. 

Former Trump campaign adviser Paul Manafort is currently serving a prison term after being convicted of tax fraud and bank fraud. Former campaign aide George Papadoupoulos pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI. He was sentenced to 14 days in prison. 

His former lawyer, Michael Cohen, was released from prison amid the coronavirus pandemic after pleading guilty to lying to Congress, as well as tax evasion and campaign finance violations. 

Trump also floated the idea of a full pardon of former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI about his dealings with a Russian ambassador. 

“There’s only one standard of justice,” Attorney General William Barr told CBS. “And I believe that this case, justice, in this case, requires dismissing the charges against General Flynn.” 

Barr has launched a probe into the Mueller investigation.

The president recently commuted the sentence of his friend and associate, Roger Stone, earlier this month after he was convicted of lying to authorities, obstructing a congressional investigation, and witness intimidation. He was set to begin a 40-month prison sentence. 

READ MORE: Missouri governor says he’d pardon couple who pointed guns at protesters

Trump repeated his claims that the investigation was unlawful. “A lot of things have been learned and what happened is a disgrace,” he told Hannity, “Again, should never ever happen.” 

During the interview, President Trump has also reiterated his plans for “law and order” in the United States. He touted Operation Legend which is set to deploy federal agents and officers to numerous urban U.S. cities. 

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