Giuliani said to have discussed pre-emptive pardon with Trump

Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's lawyer who has led the most extensive efforts to damage his client's political rivals and undermine the election results, discussed with the President as recently as last week the possibility of receiving a pre-emptive pardon before Trump leaves office, according to two people told of the discussion.

It was not clear who raised the topic. The men have also talked previously about a pardon for Giuliani, according to the people. Trump has not indicated what he will do, one of the people said.

Giuliani's potential criminal exposure is unclear. He was under investigation as recently as last summer by federal prosecutors in Manhattan for his business dealings in Ukraine and his role in ousting the American ambassador there, a plot that was at the heart of the impeachment of Trump.

Giuliani did not respond to a message seeking comment. Christianne Allen, his spokeswoman, said: "Mayor Giuliani cannot comment on any discussions that he has with his client."

Giuliani's lawyer, Robert Costello, said: "He's not concerned about this investigation, because he didn't do anything wrong, and that's been our position from day one."

A spokeswoman for Trump did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Such a broad pardon pre-empting any charge or conviction is highly unusual but does have precedent.

George Washington pardoned plotters of the Whiskey Rebellion, shielding them from treason prosecutions. In the most famous example, Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon for all of his actions as president. Jimmy Carter pardoned thousands of American men who illegally avoided the draft for the Vietnam War.