But Politico reported Wednesday that Trump’s pardon power may not be the golden get-out-of-jail card it would seem.

President Trump’s controversial pardon of Sheriff Joe Arpaio last week raised red flags for critics who worried that Trump might pardon himself, if the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller leads to him, or that he might be signaling that he would pardon associates under legal pressure to give Mueller information about him.

Politico reported that special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is working with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on its probe into former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort (above) and his financial transactions.

Citing several sources “familiar with the matter,” the website reported that Mueller’s team is working with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on its probe into former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his financial transactions.


The two teams have shared evidence and talked frequently in recent weeks about a possible case, the website’s sources said.

Federal pardons could open the door to criminal investigations in several states, NBC News also reported Wednesday.

Trump’s pardon power would not apply to state crimes, said Harvard Law School Professor Alex Whiting, a former federal prosecutor whose career has also included leading prosecutions at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

“Pardon would not resolve all legal liability for the Trump people. They could face charges,” he said.

Whiting said that he thought people who think Mueller made the move to counter Trump after the Arpaio pardon, which caused a firestorm of criticism, may be overreading the situation, though.

“That would suggest he’s out to get these guys,” said Whiting. “His mindset is to do a professional, thorough investigation. He’s not in a kind of duel with the president. He’s too professional.”

“It is just as plausible that what has happened is that in Mueller’s investigation he’s uncovered conduct that would be more suitably charged as a state crime violation Or he became aware that the New York attorney general is conducting an investigation so they’re cooperating and working together,” he said.