Trump declares he has 'complete power to pardon'
United States President Donald Trump in a string of tweets asserted his presidential pardoning powers, after The Washington Post reported that Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke about Trump's presidential campaign in meetings with the Russian ambassador last year.
The Washington Post reported that Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak was previously picked up in U.S. intelligence intercepts addressing his Russian colleagues that he talked with Sessions twice last year about the Trump campaign.
Sessions, however, denied discussing the campaign with any Russian.
In his tweet, Trump said, "While all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us. FAKE NEWS."
While all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us.FAKE NEWS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017
Trump went on to condemn the Russia probe, asking why the Attorney General and Special Counsel Robert Mueller weren't looking into the several alleged scandals involving Hillary Clinton and former FBI Director James Comey.
He said, "So many people are asking why isn't the A.G. or Special Council looking at the many Hillary Clinton or Comey crimes. 33,000 e-mails deleted?"
So many people are asking why isn't the A.G. or Special Council looking at the many Hillary Clinton or Comey crimes. 33,000 e-mails deleted?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017
Trump has reportedly asked his advisers over his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the probe into Russia's alleged meddling to the 2016 U.S. presidential elections.
-ANI
First published: 23 July 2017, 13:35 IST