Presidential pardon fever has spiked over the last week following President Donald Trump’s pardon of conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza, who had been convicted of federal finance violations, and Trump’s suggestion he also might pardon former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and lifestyle maestro Martha Stewart. Trump’s recent actions echo his pardon last August of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whom a federal judge had convicted of criminal contempt for refusing to comply with the court’s order that he halt the unlawful detention of undocumented immigrants.

Last week’s developments come against the backdrop of an array of investigations into Trump, his family members, and close associates and of statements by Trump and his advisers claiming he has unlimited pardon authority. Going one step further, Trump on Monday tweeted, “I have the absolute right to PARDON myself.”

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