Self-pardoning wasn't on the table at Thursday's Supreme Court hearing.
The Supreme Court has never ruled on whether such a move would be permissible.
The purpose of the hearing was for the Supreme Court to hear arguments over whether Trump should be immune from criminal prosecution for his conduct as president.
He told Michael Dreeben, the lawyer representing Smith's team, that the question might be crucial as the Supreme Court deliberates the scope of presidential immunity.
In order to obtain a pardon, he would have to be convicted and serve at least five years of a sentence.
Persons:
Alito, —, Donald Trump, could've, Trump, — Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch —, Jack Smith's, Smith, Gorsuch, he'll, We've, it's, Michael Dreeben, haven't, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Dreeben, Joe Biden, Stormy Daniels
Organizations:
Thursday's, Trump, Service, NBC, Mar, DC Circuit, Justice Department's, Justice Department
Locations:
New York, Manhattan, Georgia