Trump Talks Treason, Pardons in Fox Interview

He accuses the FBI of 'treasonous acts,' doesn't rule out pardon of Michael Flynn
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 28, 2019 6:14 AM CDT
Trump Unloads in First Interview Since Report
President Trump gestures to the crowd from the steps of Air Force One during his arrival in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Friday, March 22, 2019.   (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

President Trump called in to Sean Hannity's show on Fox News Wednesday and spoke for 45 minutes in his first interview since the conclusion of Robert Mueller's investigation. He didn't want to talk much about pardons, but he had plenty to say about the investigation, and some of it involved the word "treason." Some highlights:

  • Treason: He accused FBI officials who investigated him of "treason," reports Axios. "They wanted an insurance policy against me," he said, a reference to a pair of FBI agents whose texts went public. "It was really treason. ... We can never allow these treasonous acts to happen to another president." He called them "dirty cops."
  • Pardons: When Hannity asked Trump about pardons for Michael Flynn and others, Trump didn't rule them out, but he passed on a direct answer. “Many, many people were in­cred­ibly hurt by this whole scam," he said, adding, "I don't want to talk about pardons now, but I can say it's so sad on so many levels.”

  • Declassify: Trump said he planned to declassify documents used by the FBI to obtain Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court warrants on former adviser Carter Page. "I have plans to declassify and release," he said. "I have plans to absolutely release." The Washington Post notes that Trump doesn't always follow through on such promises.
  • Schiff: The president joined those saying Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee who has been one of Trump's most vocal critics in regard to the Mueller investigation, should go. "He should be forced out of office," said Trump, per USA Today. "He is a disgrace to our country."
  • Parting shots: Trump called former FBI chief James Comey a "terrible guy" and former CIA chief John Brennan a "sick person," but he praised Attorney General William Barr as a "great gentleman" and said the inquiry never would have happened had he been attorney general initially.
(More President Trump stories.)

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