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Trump tells TIME he would consider pardoning members of his administration

In a TIME interview, President Trump said "Yeah, sure, I'd do that" when asked about pardoning administration members before his term ends, pointing to Joe Biden's pardons. He named no officials and announced no decision.

3 outlets · 2L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: ABC News
Image: NBC News

1 / 2

The story, neutrally told

President Donald Trump told TIME magazine he would be open to pardoning members of his administration before his term ends. Asked whether he was considering such pardons, he answered: "Yeah, sure, I'd do that." He pointed to Joe Biden's pardons, saying Biden "gave pardons to everyone"; ABC News described Biden's action as a blanket pardon for relatives and administration members over fears of political targeting.

Hindustan Times, citing Mediaite, reports the question was framed around Democrats regaining power and investigating his administration, and that Trump cited Biden's pardon of Anthony Fauci. Trump named no specific officials and announced no final decision, according to the Hindustan Times, which attributes this to ABC News. As context, Hindustan Times notes that Biden issued preemptive pardons before leaving office on 20 January 2025, and that Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 people over the 6 January Capitol attack after returning to office.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left2 outlets

Framing
Brief, developing-story report leading with Trump's quote and Biden's blanket pardon as the reason.
Emphasis
The direct quote and Biden comparison.
Leaves out or plays down
No Fauci mention, Trump's own clemency record, or the Democrats-investigation context.
Charged language
“blanket pardon”
For example
“"Yeah, sure, I'd do that," the president answered when asked by TIME magazine” — ABC News

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Explainer-style piece framed as 'What did he say?', linking the remarks to possible Democratic investigations.
Emphasis
Biden's pardons including Fauci, Trump's January 6 pardons, and the absence of named officials.
Leaves out or plays down
Relies on Mediaite and ABC News rather than the TIME text.
Charged language
“Sleepy Joe Biden”
For example
“Trump's latest comments raise the possibility of preemptive pardons for his own administration officials.” — Hindustan Times

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.