US President Donald Trump stated that he is ready to issue a preemptive pardon to billionaire Elon Musk and his closest aides if Democrats gain control of Congress following the midterm elections. The statement was made on conservative commentator Miranda Devine's podcast, Pod Force One, as the Republican Party risks losing its majority in the legislature ahead of the November 3 vote.
Preemptive Pardon as a Protection Tool
Responding to a question about whether protecting the entrepreneur could specifically involve a preemptive pardon, Trump answered in the affirmative. “I would do it if it were necessary, of course,” he said, adding that he wouldn't even think twice about it. According to the president, he intends to protect Musk and his associates should they become targets of congressional investigations, and he dismissed the suggestion that Democrats could nationalize SpaceX.
Connection to the DOGE Project and Koristin
Among potential targets for protection, the president specifically mentioned Edward Koristin, who worked on Musk's DOGE initiative aimed at cutting government programs. Mentioning this figure emphasizes that the discussion is not only about the billionaire's commercial assets but also about his involvement in executing the presidential agenda to optimize government spending, which, according to White House estimates, could draw heightened scrutiny from opposition lawmakers.
Biden's Precedent as Justification
Justifying his position, Trump referred to the decision of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Before the end of his presidential term, Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, as well as several officials who, the White House feared at the time, could become targets of persecution by the new administration. “That’s exactly what Biden did. He pardoned everyone,” the incumbent president stated, thereby normalizing the practice of end-of-term preemptive pardons.
Political Context: November 3 Elections and Risks to Alliances
Elon Musk actively participated in the Republican election campaign, reportedly spending hundreds of millions of dollars to support the party's candidates during the midterms. According to reports, the White House is already looking for ways to continue implementing the presidential program bypassing lawmakers in the event of a majority loss. Against this backdrop, NATO has expressed concern that a Republican defeat could push Trump toward new attacks on the alliance, reducing the US military contingent in Europe and limiting support for Ukraine.
