Robert Jenkins, an attorney for January 6 rioters, says former President Donald Trump’s potential pardon vow “absolutely” would impact the cases.
CNN’s John Berman asked Jenkins how aware his clients are that Trump “just dangled the idea of pardoning them?”
Jenkins replied, “I think that they are acutely aware of what former President Trump has suggested.”
He added, “They certainly know that there’s discussion.”
When asked how that might impact how they approach their cases, Jenkins responded, “I would imagine they each would view such a suggestion in a slightly different manner.”
Berman argued, “If you have a solid possibility of a pardon, it just goes to reason that it would affect your behavior during the investigation, the prosecution, discussions with prosecutors. Yes?”
Jenkins explained, “Absolutely, it would impact not only the attorney’s perspective, but certainly the client’s also.”
Berman continued, “So less likely to cooperate, potentially?”
The attorney said, “Far less likely to cooperate and probably more likely to proceed to a trial.”
Jenkins told Berman he believes the former president “continues to motivate, to impact, to suggest the actions of those who support him.”
He continued, saying Trump “continues to be a very influential person in many of Americans minds, unfortunately.”
JUST NOW (WOW): "Absolutely it would impact not only the attorney's perspective but also the client's…Far less likely to cooperate."
— John Berman (@JohnBerman) February 2, 2022
Robert Jenkins, an attorney for several 1/6 clients says flatly Trump's pardon statements impact the cases.pic.twitter.com/3Y0u9OhI0W
Additionally, CNN’s Brianna Keilar asked Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), a member of the January 6 committee, whether Trump is “tampering with witnesses when he’s talking about pardons when he’s dangling them in front of 1/6 defendants?”
He responded, “Absolutely. And I think the question is more for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Where are they? Do they support this? When is enough enough? ”
January 6th committee member @RepPeteAguilar says former President Trump is "absolutely" tampering with witnesses by promising pardons for those charged with crimes related to the insurrection. pic.twitter.com/2hLVmFijxv
— Brianna Keilar (@brikeilarcnn) February 2, 2022
Some Republicans have voiced their opposition to Trump’s vow, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who called his comments “inappropriate.”
Trump fired back during an interview with Newsmax, saying, “Well, Lindsey Graham is wrong. I mean, Lindsey is a nice guy, but he’s a RINO.”