Why hasn't Trump pardoned anyone yet?

[cbdo2007]

Everyone is sure he will pardon Manafort or Stone.

Why hasn't he issued any pardons yet?

Can he pardon people if he is an unindicted co-conspirator in their crimes?

[bearsfootball516]

1. Pardons would be overwhelmingly unpopular and would make him look extremely guilty.

I imagine he's trying to hold off as long as he can.

[Qutzupalotl]

2. He did pardon Scooter Libby,

but then, Libby isn’t one of Trump’s co-conspirators.

I think Trump WANTS all potentially incriminating witnesses to THINK he can pardon his accomplices, but I don’t think he can.

[snowybirdie]

3. He'll do what

Clinton did and pardon them all at 11 a.m. On Jan. 20, 2021. The day he leaves office!

[unblock]

4. Pardons are most effective when they come on the last day of a presidency

It's the *promise* if a pardon that keeps people cooperating with a president. Once a pardon is given, there's a risk they might tell the truth.

Not to mention, at that point, a president doesn't care much about the political backlash from an unpopular pardon.

[Vinca]

5. It's a no win situation for Dear Leader. Whether he pardons them or not,

they have already given sworn testimony and will be witnesses in any court procedure involving Trump or Trump spawn. He probably won't pardon them out of spite.

[standingtall]

6. I think he is waiting to pardon his cronies

until after Nov. 2020, but before Jan. 2021 if he loses, and if he manages to steal a second term he will pardon them then.

[MiniMe]

7. He pardoned Roy Moore

As far as I know, that is the only pardon he has issued so far.

[bearsfootball516]

8. I think that was Joe Arpaio

[MiniMe]

9. I think you're right.

My bad, I knew he pardoned somebody who was a bad dude