Donald Trump has suggested Republicans could face a damaging defeat in the midterm elections, saying he would pardon members of his administration and inner circle to shield them from investigations if Democrats regain control of Congress.
In an interview with TIME, Trump was asked about his warning that Democrats would target him if they won in November. “Are you considering pardoning members of your administration prior to the end of your term?” the president was asked.
“Yeah, sure I’d do that,” Trump said.
He then pointed to his Democratic predecessor, saying: “Well, Sleepy Joe Biden, he gave pardons to everyone.”
Democrats on Capitol Hill have been preparing potential investigations into Trump, his family, Cabinet officials and senior aides, assuming they take control after the November midterms.
As of Thursday morning, prediction market Kalshi gave Democrats a 91 percent chance of winning the House of Representatives and a 62 percent chance of capturing the Senate.
Trump also vowed to respond aggressively if Democrats pursue him. “They’ll probably go after me and I’ll go after them,” he told TIME.
Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, would gain subpoena power next year if his party wins the midterms. He told Politico that the preferred targets would include “the president’s sons and the president and the family.”
President Donald Trump told TIME he would consider pardoning members of his family and administration if Democrats launch investigations after the GOP loses control in this year’s midterm elections
Democratic lawmakers have publicly said they want to investigate members of Trump’s Cabinet and family if they win the midterms, a prospect that has become increasingly likely
Trump cited former President Joe Biden’s pardons for federal officials and family members, including his son Hunter Biden
Garcia also said he wanted to hear directly from several of Trump’s senior advisers and associates.
Among the figures viewed as potential targets are White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, former AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Democrats have shown interest in examining federal agreements involving companies connected to Trump family members, as well as the businesses of Witkoff and Kushner. Both men have been involved in international peace efforts despite not being official government employees. Investigators may also scrutinize Trump’s multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency ventures.
Trump rejected the idea that he should refrain from pardoning friends and relatives who could face political or legal scrutiny.
“Sleepy Joe gave pardons to everybody. He gave them to Fauci … But you mean I’m not allowed to give them, but Sleepy Joe’s allowed to give them?” Trump said in the TIME interview.
Biden did issue pardons to a broad range of officials and family members as his presidency drew to a close in 2024 and 2025.
Among those granted preemptive pardons were Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading figure in the COVID-19 response, Biden’s brothers James and Francis, his sister Valerie Biden Owens and his son Hunter Biden.
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner (center) and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (left) are among the figures Democrats may seek to investigate next year
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth could face questioning from Democratic investigators over the Iran war and US stockpiles if Trump and the GOP lose the midterms
When TIME asked him plainly whether he thinks Republicans can win the midterms, Trump said they will, as long as he is front and center.
‘I think we’ll do okay if I campaign, and I intend to. If I campaign…you don’t give me enough credit. When I campaign, I give people a lot.’
The president is traveling to Oklahoma on Thursday for a campaign rally and is expected to travel on Friday to Alabama for another stop.
