Washington D.C. – Former Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski may have jeopardized any potential future clemency from the former president through reported boasts about a guaranteed pardon, according to reports this week. The claims surfaced amid scrutiny surrounding Lewandowski’s role alongside ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and questions about the handling of a $220 million federal advertising campaign.
Donald Trump has frequently used his pardon power to benefit allies, political figures, and those convicted of crimes, including over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot, former Congressman George Santos, and individuals with ties to his political orbit. However, Lewandowski’s alleged confidence in receiving a pardon, even before facing any charges, appears to have potentially crossed a line with the former president.
The New York Post reported Wednesday that Lewandowski, while serving as Noem’s top aide, repeatedly told associates he wasn’t concerned about potential legal repercussions because of an expectation of a presidential pardon. “I’m not worried. I do whatever the f–k I want. DJT will pardon me,” Lewandowski allegedly said on multiple occasions, according to sources familiar with the conversations. Another source stated Lewandowski “was telling people he was going to get [a] pardon so he didn’t have to worry.” Four other individuals who have worked with Lewandowski indicated the remark aligned with his character.
Lewandowski has denied making the statements, telling the New York Post, “Never said that. Never asked for a pardon and have no reason to receive one.” Despite his denial, the timing of the reports coincides with increased scrutiny from Trump regarding potential financial benefits Lewandowski may have received from Noem’s advertising campaign.
According to NBC News, Trump has been questioning aides about whether Lewandowski profited personally from the $220 million federal advertising campaign featuring Noem. “He’s mentioned the ads several times,” a senior White House official told NBC News, indicating Trump is focused on Lewandowski’s role in the ad contract. Lewandowski maintains he received “zero, not one penny” from any DHS contracts he signed off on, though the White House has declined to comment on this assertion. NBC News reported on these inquiries.
Noem’s dismissal reportedly stemmed from her overconfidence in Trump’s support, culminating in her testimony before Congress claiming the president had approved her DHS ad spending – a claim Trump publicly refuted. This pattern mirrors a dynamic where Trump appears less inclined to shield allies who assume his unwavering backing. Similarly, Lewandowski’s alleged boasting about a guaranteed pardon could be perceived as presumptuous, potentially damaging his standing with the former president.
Trump’s use of pardons has been notable for its focus on individuals with personal or political connections to him. As Bernadette Meyler, a professor of constitutional law at Stanford University, told NPR, there’s “more of a sense of the insider pardon than we’ve seen previously.” This trend has included clemency for figures like Santos and Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, who pleaded guilty to money laundering charges.
While Lewandowski has not been charged with any crimes, the current scrutiny raises questions about his future legal exposure and the potential for a shift in Trump’s willingness to offer protection. The situation highlights the precariousness of relying on a presidential pardon, particularly when perceived as an entitlement rather than a gesture of grace.
The focus now shifts to whether the Department of Justice will launch an investigation into the advertising campaign and Lewandowski’s involvement. Any formal inquiry could significantly alter the landscape and potentially lead to charges, thereby making the question of a pardon a highly real concern for the former Trump advisor.
What comes next will depend on the outcome of any potential investigations and Trump’s continued assessment of Lewandowski’s actions. The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of loyalty and the unpredictable nature of presidential clemency.
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