President Trump Sets The Record Straight On Gaetz Pardon

This is what CNN reported: 

Rep. Matt Gaetz sought a preemptive pardon for himself near the end of President Donald Trump's term and made his request known to someone outside the White House Counsel's office, according to two people familiar with the matter, but Gaetz's request was never seriously considered by the White House because they decided preemptive pardons were off the table.

In the final days of Trump's term, CNN reported that Pat Cipollone and other lawyers for the President told him he should not pardon himself, his family or any Republican lawmakers in a prospective manner unless he was prepared to list specific crimes.

Gaetz's push for a pardon, first reported by The New York Times, came during the closing months of the Trump-era Justice Department when federal investigators were beginning an investigation into whether the Florida congressman had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

Gaetz has denied all of the allegations and has tried to portray the sex trafficking investigation as connected to an alleged extortion plot against him. But the effort fuels fresh scrutiny of Gaetz after the Justice Department's investigation became public.

The Hill reported: 

Former President Trump on Wednesday denied that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) directly asked him for a blanket pardon, and appeared to defend the congressman amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

“Congressman Matt Gaetz has never asked me for a pardon," Trump said in a statement. "It must also be remembered that he has totally denied the accusations against him.”

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Gaetz asked White House officials for blanket preemptive pardons for himself and other congressional allies of Trump. The Times noted that it was not clear whether Gaetz directly addressed the matter with Trump, though aides were said to have relayed the request.