Trump told CBP head he'd pardon him if he were sent to jail for violating immigration law

Authored by edition.cnn.com and submitted by NewsReady

Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump told Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan he would grant McAleenan a pardon if he were sent to jail for having border agents block asylum seekers from entering the US in defiance of US law, senior administration officials tell CNN.

Trump reportedly made the comment during a visit to the border at Calexico, California, a week ago. It was not clear if the comment was a joke.

Two officials briefed on the exchange say the President told McAleenan, since named the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, that he "would pardon him if he ever went to jail for denying US entry to migrants," as one of the officials paraphrased.

The White House referred CNN to the Department of Homeland Security. A DHS spokesman told CNN, "At no time has the President indicated, asked, directed or pressured the Acting Secretary to do anything illegal. Nor would the Acting Secretary take actions that are not in accordance with our responsibility to enforce the law."

The exchange came amid threats by the President to close the border in response to a steep uptick of migrants at the border. In March, there were approximately 92,000 arrests of undocumented migrants for illegal entry on the southern border, up from 37,390 last March, according to CBP

reverendrambo on April 12nd, 2019 at 19:51 UTC »

This is one of the most brazen things I've seen yet. This is outright intent to break the law. Knowing that the consequences of his orders could send them to jail, he offered reprieve by his pardon power. That's abuse of office.

If there's anything that's a high crime and misdemeanor, is this. Holy shit.

Bobby3Sticks on April 12nd, 2019 at 19:46 UTC »

Wow another impeachable offense that's somehow "not enough" for Trump Republicans.

iceblademan on April 12nd, 2019 at 19:46 UTC »

Two officials briefed on the exchange say the President told McAleenan, since named the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, that he "would pardon him if he ever went to jail for denying US entry to migrants," as one of the officials paraphrased.

Not only did he direct federal agents to break the law and then perjure themselves before officers of the court, it is now apparent he's intent on making clear to his CBP senior leadership that he'll have their back if they ever get convicted.

All of this is patently illegal and impeachable. All of it.