Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is sharing his distaste with President Donald Trump’s pardoning of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
The House Intelligence Committee chair told CNN on Wednesday that the pardon “is a body blow to our national security.”
“It’s also a body blow to the rule of law and I think makes a mockery of our democracy to those watching from around the world,” Schiff added.
Asked by Acosta about Republican lawmakers praising Trump’s pardon of Flynn, Schiff hit back that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has “no bottom to his willingness to debase himself to earn Trump’s favor.”
Later, Schiff suggested Trump “may even try to pardon himself.” When asked if he can “do anything” if Trump “tries to pardon himself,” Schiff said he has introduced a bill where “you cannot self-pardon.”
Trump said on Wednesday that he pardoned Flynn, who previously pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
Watch Schiff’s interview below:
Rep. Adam Schiff says Pres. Trump’s pardon of former national security adviser Michael Flynn “is a body blow to our national security,” adding that “it’s also a body blow to the rule of law and I think makes a mockery of our democracy to those watching from around the world.” pic.twitter.com/eC6HSZEuTC
— CNN (@CNN) November 26, 2020
“It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon,” Trump tweeted on Wednesday.
He continued, “Congratulations to [Michael Flynn] and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!”
Additionally, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement, “The President has pardoned General Flynn because he should never have been prosecuted.”
It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon. Congratulations to @GenFlynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 25, 2020
Trump’s pardoning of Flynn received criticism from other Democrats as well. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement that the pardon is “an act of grave corruption and a brazen abuse of power.”
“Sadly, this pardon is further proof that Trump plans to use his final days in office to undermine the rule of law in the wake of his failed presidency,” Pelosi added.
Additionally, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) called Trump’s pardon “undeserved, unprincipled, and one more stain on President Trump’s rapidly diminishing legacy,” as IJR reported.
In contrast, congressional Republicans applauded Trump’s move, as IJR also reported.
“What happened to [Michael Flynn] was a national disgrace. No American should ever be targeted for simply belonging to a certain political party,” McCarthy tweeted, adding, “President [Donald Trump] is right to pardon the respected three-star general.”
An official in the Department of Justice called Flynn’s pardon “an appropriate use of the President’s pardon power,” the official told NBC News.