The New York Sun

Join
Justice

Jack Smith Appears Determined To Test Whether Trump Can Pardon Himself

The special counsel is reportedly determined to pursue the 45th president right up, if Trump wins, to Inauguration Day.

Julia Nikhinson-Pool/Getty Images
President Trump on trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 28, 2024 at New York City. Julia Nikhinson-Pool/Getty Images
A.R. HOFFMAN
A.R. HOFFMAN

The report that Special Counsel Jack Smith plans to keep prosecuting President Trump even if he wins the election,  through the eleven week window between Election Day and the inauguration, surfaces a yet to be tested constitutionally possibility — that Trump could resolve matters by pardoning himself as soon as he formally wields the imperium.

Have an account? Log In

To continue reading, please select:

Limited Access

Enter your email to read for FREE

Get 1 FREE article

Continue with
or
Unlimited Access

Join the Sun for a PENNY A DAY

$0.01/day for 60 days

Cancel anytime

100% ad free experience

Unlimited article and commenting access

Full annual dues ($120) billed after 60 days

View all membership options
By continuing you agree to our
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
A.R. HOFFMAN
A.R. HOFFMAN

Mr. Hoffman is an associate editor of the Sun, where he covers politics and culture. He holds a PhD from Harvard and a law degree from Stanford.

Advertisement
The New York Sun

Sections

NationalForeignPoliticsArts+EconomyEducationJusticeOpinionWatchCrossword

More

MembershipBecome a FounderAdvertiseEventsNewslettersShopSubmissionsContactLegalAbout

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use