Are you ready for universal Trump pardons?

President Trump has reportedly told his staff “I’ll pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval [Office].” Should we believe his boast, that he will issue pre-emptive presidential pardons to hundreds, if not thousands, of administration staff and officials who may or may not have committed or even been charged with a federal crime?

Although Trump often claims he can or will take certain questionable actions he may have no intention of taking, there are reasons to take this boast seriously.

Could a president issue what amounts to universal administration pardons? Perhaps.

Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution says the president “shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.”

The Supreme Court has generally held that this power is unlimited with respect to federal crimes, but it does not apply to impeachment or crimes charged by state and local law enforcement. And there are other limitations — for example, a president cannot pardon someone for a future crime.

However, no constitutionally protected right is absolute. The Supreme Court has identified certain limits on our First Amendment rights to religious practices, freedom of speech and assembly. And although Trump has in the past claimed he has the right to pardon himself, not everyone agrees.

So, it is at least possible the high court might impose some limits, were a president to face legal challenges for grossly abusing the Pardons Clause. But it’s anybody’s guess whether and under what circumstances the........

© The Hill