President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to consider presidential pardons for entrepreneur Elon Musk and members of his former government team. These potential pardons would be a response to anticipated congressional investigations should Democrats gain control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. President Trump articulated this stance during an interview on Miranda Devine’s Pod Force One podcast, where he discussed his administration's strategy for addressing a potential wave of oversight inquiries.
"I would not even think about it." President Donald Trump, Pod Force One Interview
During the interview, President Trump suggested he would not hesitate to use his executive authority to protect Musk and other associates. "We’ll have to protect them," President Trump told Devine. While initially dismissing Democratic threats of investigation as largely political rhetoric, he acknowledged that preemptive pardons could become a necessary option. When asked specifically about such a move, President Trump stated his readiness: "I would not even think about it," referring to his willingness to issue pardons.
The president’s comments come as the midterm elections approach, with Democrats preparing for the possibility of securing a majority in either the House, Senate, or both chambers. Numerous Democratic lawmakers have already publicly raised the prospect of investigating Musk’s extensive government connections, his various business interests, and his prior role within the Trump administration. Musk, who previously headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has emerged as a particular focus for these proposed inquiries. His prominent companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, maintain significant business relationships with the federal government, prompting questions among Democrats regarding potential conflicts of interest and preferential treatment.
President Trump also sought to justify the concept of preemptive pardons by drawing a comparison to actions taken by his predecessor. "That’s what Biden did, he gave everybody a pardon," President Trump remarked. This was a reference to President Joe Biden's decision to grant pardons to members of the congressional committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, Capitol protest and related events. The comparison appears intended to frame potential pardons for Musk and his associates as a legitimate exercise of presidential authority, rather than an unprecedented or extraordinary step.
Elon Musk has also signaled his intent to resist any investigations into his activities. Last month, after reports surfaced regarding potential Democratic congressional inquiries targeting him, Musk issued a warning on X. "Those who pick fights with me should understand that I will find out who is really pulling the strings and come for them, not just their puppets," Musk wrote. This statement reflects the increasingly confrontational political climate surrounding the prospect of expanded Democratic oversight.
Beyond Musk, the interview also touched upon other individuals who might be considered for protection. Devine raised the possibility of investigations involving Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old former DOGE employee known online as “Big Balls.” President Trump did not rule out granting Coristine a pardon, though he did not announce any specific pardons or identify any particular criminal charges against the individuals discussed.
The potential investigations would likely delve into several major government contracts awarded to Musk’s businesses during President Trump’s second administration. An analysis published by the Democracy Defenders Fund, and reported by Forbes, indicates that Musk’s companies have received approximately $10 billion in government contracts and grants since his departure from DOGE. These agreements include a substantial $5.9 billion SpaceX contract with the U.S. Space Force for the development of a space launch architecture, and another $2.29 billion contract related to a space data network. Additionally, Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, reportedly secured a $200 million Pentagon contract for integrating artificial intelligence into military operations. Democratic lawmakers could scrutinize whether any of these arrangements involved preferential treatment linked to Musk’s relationship with the administration.
Other potential areas of congressional scrutiny might include allegations concerning Starlink satellite access in Ukraine, reported pressure involving a Federal Aviation Administration contract with Verizon, and the federal spending cuts Musk oversaw during his tenure at DOGE. It is important to note that these remain potential subjects of investigation and are not established findings of misconduct.
President Trump’s public discussion of potential pardons introduces a new layer of complexity into the contentious battle over congressional oversight. As the November 3 midterm elections draw near, the president is preparing for the possibility that Democrats could gain new investigative powers. However, President Trump is clearly signaling that such a development would not leave his political allies unprotected. Whether he ultimately proceeds with any preemptive pardons remains uncertain, but the president has explicitly placed this possibility on the table, setting the stage for another potential confrontation between the White House and congressional Democrats if the balance of power shifts after Election Day.
