In today’s White House press briefing,
a reporter noted to spokesman Tony Fratto that the “administration
has indicated that the president is unlikely, at the last
minute, to issue a batch of pardons.” Fratto, however,
quickly took issue with that statement, saying, “I don’t
think we’ve indicated that.” He then hinted that
there will be more pardons coming soon:
FRATTO: We do expect additional — additional clemency
requests. The president has been considering them. And, hopefully,
soon we’ll have something for you on that.
I can’t tell you that — when exactly the next
one will come — the next batch will come and whether
there will be more after that. I think the president has maintained
his authority to do that until — until his last day
as president, so we’re not going to — I don’t
think we’ll take that away from him. But I think we
should have something soon on clemency petitions.
Watch it:
Some possible pardons to watch for: Ted Stevens,
Donald Rumsfeld, Scooter Libby, and everyone who has participated
in the administration’s torture and wiretapping programs.
Transcript:
QUESTION: The administration
has indicated that the president is unlikely, at the last
minute, to issue a batch of pardons. I’m wondering if…
FRATTO: I don’t know —
no, I don’t think we’ve indicated that. I mean…
QUESTION: Well, I’ve been
told that.
FRATTO: You have?
QUESTION: Yes. But the key there
was…
FRATTO: One of those unnamed
sources somewhere?
QUESTION: I think he was named.
FRATTO: OK.
QUESTION: The key was that at
the last minute, on the way out the door. I’m curious
if you expect another round of pardons or commutations before
the president leaves office.
FRATTO: We do expect additional
— additional clemency requests. The president has been
considering them. And, hopefully, soon we’ll have something
for you on that.
I can’t tell you that
— when exactly the next one will come — the next
batch will come and whether there will be more after that.
I think the president has maintained his authority to do that
until — until his last day as president, so we’re
not going to — I don’t think we’ll take
that away from him. But I think we should have something soon
on clemency petitions.
QUESTION: Would you expect it
this week, Tony?
FRATTO: I’m not going
to put a point on that. The — the process is run from
the Office of the Pardon Attorney over at the Department of
Justice. Any announcement, as they all have, will —
will come from the Department of Justice. I would just stay
ready to look for that paper to come across.
