Trump plans to issue mass pardons

US President Donald Trump has said he intends to issue numerous pre-emptive pardons for his aides and advisers before his term in office ends in January 2029.

According to TodayPress TV, Trump made the remarks in an interview with CBS News.

“I intend to issue a lot of pardons,” Trump said.

The US leader jokingly said that during his second presidential term, he wanted to protect even those who had come within a thousand miles of the White House Oval Office from possible legal prosecution by Democrats.

“I don't want people who served the country and did an excellent job to spend the rest of their lives the way I have. I spent four years defending myself against radical people and fools,” the president noted.

Trump was also asked whether he would grant himself a pre-emptive pardon.

Although he said he did not see a need for one, he stressed that such a move would not be unreasonable.

Asked whether he had the authority to pardon himself, the US president replied: “Yes, I think so.”