White House worried by Trump's birthday pardon plan: report

Trump is planning a major pardon spree to celebrate his and the nation's upcoming birthdays, and White House officials are alarmed, according to a new report.

The United States' 250th birthday is coming up, and Trump has it in mind to mark the occasion by issuing a whopping 250 pardons, according to a Wall Street Journal article that cited people familiar with the matter.

"Some in the White House have raised concerns about doing too many more pardons, or any at all, before the midterm elections," WSJ reported. "Trump could announce the 250 acts of mercy on June 14, which is both Flag Day and his birthday, or on the Fourth of July."

Although "no decisions had been made," White House officials noted for the WSJ that "Trump is the ultimate decision maker on any clemency-related actions" and could ignore past conversations.

The WSJ noted that Trump has already pardoned Jan 6ers and white collar criminals convicted for defrauding investors and founding the online black market Silk Road.

Trump has also brought up "widespread pardons for his staff before he leaves office," the WSJ added.

High-profile criminals like Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried have also sought Trump pardons or brought up clemency, the WSJ mentioned.