Trump associates, including Giuliani, are asking the president for pardons

Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, receives pardon from Trump 1:19

(CNN) -

Some associates of US President Donald Trump are appealing to him in hopes of obtaining pardons before he leaves office, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

The source said that the list of partners addressing the pretrial pardons that would seek to protect those individuals from prosecution includes Rudy Giuliani, who has been leading the president's legal battles to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, in his role as Trump's personal attorney.

Since the election, Trump has been discussing with advisers the preemptive pardon of several people close to him, including his children, son-in-law and Giuliani, a separate source familiar to CNN confirmed.

The list of possible pardons includes others close to the president and who could be legally vulnerable, but they have not been charged.

• Justice Department Investigates Possible Bribery Scheme In Exchange For Presidential Pardon, Court Records Reveal

Trump grants pardon to former adviser Michael Flynn 0:49

Investigations into Trump's inner circle and possible pardon

Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, was investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller for his contacts with Russians, but was never charged.

Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner provided false information about his overseas contacts when he applied for his security clearance, but Trump issued one anyway.

The president has told advisers that he believes he and his family have been unfairly targeted and that he is concerned that legal activities may continue under Biden's Justice Department.

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Trump's lawyers and allies have been pushing him for pardons ranging from his personal clients to people who have been put behind bars by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, according to several people.

However, Harris was a state attorney and pardons only apply to federal crimes.

Trump's legal future at the end of his term 2:30

A possible pardon for Giuliani

The New York Times and ABC News first reported that Giuliani was discussing a clemency with the President and about the discussions surrounding pretrial pardons for Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.

Giuliani denied having discussed a pardon with the president, telling CNN that "[The New York] Times is completely wrong."

Furthermore, he denied having spoken to anyone at the White House about a pardon for himself.

It's unclear what potential criminal exposure Giuliani or other associates are trying to prevent.

But the first source familiar with the discussions went on to cite what the president's friends and allies see as hostility from the incoming Biden administration toward Trump associates.

"He doesn't trust the Democrats," the source said, describing the pardons being sought as "blanket" protection against future prosecutions.

Trump's inner circle accusations

Nine people in Trump's orbit, including his former National Security adviser, Michael Flynn, and his longtime friend Roger Stone, have been charged or convicted of crimes related to a constellation of alleged criminal conspiracies.

The appeals come on the heels of Trump's decision to pardon Flynn.

Last week, the president granted Flynn a full pardon, acquitting him of charges related to lying to federal agents about his contact with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

Flynn's clemency was Trump's second act of clemency related to the prosecution of aides to the president.

Earlier this summer, Trump commuted Stone's sentence.

At least one important ally is appealing more to your instinct for self-preservation, suggesting that a self-forgiveness should be issued.

On Monday, Fox News host Sean Hannity said on his radio show that the president should forgive his family and himself to avoid prosecution by the incoming Biden administration.

"The president needs to forgive his entire family and himself," Hannity said, then added, "I assume the power of forgiveness is absolute and that I should be able to forgive whoever I want."

- CNN's Maegan Vazquez and Caroline Kelly contributed to this report.

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