A leaked transcript of the full Wall Street Journal interview with Donald Trump reveals that when the President was asked about pardons for the Russia scandal, he dodged the question and babbled about Jared Kushner.
Politico obtained the full transcript of the interview:
WSJ: Would you consider pardons, Mr. President, given the investigation is –
TRUMP: You know what? I don’t even think of pardons. Here’s why, nobody did anything wrong. Look at Jared, everybody – we do appreciate the editorial – but everybody said Jared Kushner. Jared’s a very private person. He doesn’t get out. I mean, maybe it’s good or maybe it’s bad what I do, but at least people know how I feel. Jared’s this really nice, smart guy, who’d love to see peace in the Middle East and in Israel, OK?
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A no is missing from Donald Trump’s answer. Not thinking about pardons is not the same as promising not to use them. Trump’s answer was a dodge that left the door wide open for the President to “think” about pardons later and decide to pardon himself, his family, and his presidential campaign for Russia crimes. What Trump means by nobody has done anything wrong is that no charges have been filed yet, and nothing has been proven.
The Wall Street Journal is friendly to Trump, and they did him a big favor by not printing his answer to the pardon question. However, the lead of the transcript revealed a president who is a dead man walking who will do whatever it takes to hold on to power, including pardoning himself and his family.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
