Trump Says He Would Consider Pardons for Musk and Aides

President Donald Trump said he would consider preemptive pardons for Elon Musk and people who have worked for him if he judged them necessary, while dismissing talk of Democrats arresting Musk or seizing his businesses. Trump made the remarks in an interview published November 2, the day before the U.S. midterm elections, and did not announce a pardon or identify conduct it might cover. Asked about Democratic proposals involving Musk, Trump said he did not expect the actions described to happen, but added that “we’ll have to protect them” if the talk became a real threat. When asked whether he would pardon Musk and others who had worked for him, Trump replied that he would if needed. He later said he would do it, referring to pardons he granted in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The interview did not establish that Musk or another potential recipient faced a specific federal charge. Trump described a conditional willingness, not a formal process, and did not name prospective recipients beyond Musk and the broader group of people who had worked for him. The remarks came as Democrats have said they would investigate the administration if they...