Megyn Kelly Torches George Stephanopoulos for Ignoring Attorney’s Bizarre Trump Pardon Plea [WATCH]

Megyn Kelly criticized ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos after Lindsay Clancy’s attorney used a “Good Morning America” interview to ask President Donald Trump to consider pardoning his client following a mistrial in her Massachusetts case, as reported by The New York Post.

Attorney Kevin Reddington appeared on the program Tuesday, Sept. 8, after the jury in Clancy’s case failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

During the interview, Reddington appealed directly to Trump regarding Clancy, who faces state murder charges stemming from the deaths of her three children in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in January 2023.

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“Perhaps Donald Trump, who felt compelled to speak out about this case, may very well — Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady, the type of person she is, what she’s been through, and consider a pardon,” Reddington told Stephanopoulos.

Kelly, speaking on her program, questioned why Stephanopoulos did not immediately ask Reddington about the legal basis for requesting a presidential pardon in a state criminal case.

“It would have been nice if George Stephanopoulos would have asked him one follow-up question, which is: Why would you be asking for a pardon when your client is charged with a state crime, something for which the president cannot pardon her?” Kelly said.

Presidential pardon authority generally applies to federal offenses.

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Clancy’s case is being prosecuted under Massachusetts state law, meaning Trump does not have ordinary pardon authority over the charges. Multiple reports have highlighted that distinction following Reddington’s appearance.

“What do you mean a pardon? Your client’s been charged under state laws. President Trump can’t pardon that,” Kelly added.

Kelly acknowledged that the omission might have resulted from the time constraints of a network morning program but argued that the interview lasted long enough for Stephanopoulos to seek clarification.

“God forbid you blow a break or you actually just take the time that’s necessary to clarify what in God’s name your guest is talking about,” Kelly said.

“Instead, you just leave everyone confused.”

The pardon request came days after Clancy’s first-degree murder trial ended in a mistrial. The jury deliberated for roughly a week but was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

The foreperson told the court that the panel was divided 11-1, with one juror declining to vote for an insanity acquittal despite expressing doubt about Clancy’s criminal responsibility.

Reddington also criticized the lone holdout juror during his appearance with Stephanopoulos.

According to the attorney, a note from the jury foreperson indicated that the juror “had doubt but he would not apply the law of reasonable doubt as presented by the judge.”

Kelly objected to Reddington’s criticism and said Stephanopoulos should have challenged that characterization as well.

“Wouldn’t it have been nice if we had a competent journalist sitting across from Reddington to challenge him,” Kelly said.

The attorney has defended the position taken by his client and has indicated that the defense believes the jury’s split supports its argument regarding Clancy’s mental state.

Clancy’s defense argued throughout the six-week trial that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and therefore should not be held criminally responsible for the deaths of her children.

Prosecutors disputed that explanation and argued that she was legally responsible for her actions.

The mistrial does not resolve the criminal charges. Prosecutors have not announced whether they will pursue another trial, while Reddington has indicated that he is willing to discuss a possible agreement with Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz.

He told Stephanopoulos that he hoped Cruz would reconsider the case following the mistrial.

Reddington said he was willing to listen to Cruz regarding a possible agreement rather than automatically proceeding toward another trial.

“I hope, however, after sitting through this trial and seeing the evidence that was presented from the government as well as from the defense, that he would revisit that issue,” Reddington said.

The case remains unresolved, with a status hearing scheduled for Sept. 29. On Wednesday, Reddington said he planned to ask the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the mistrial did not meet the legal standard required to justify ending the first trial.

For Kelly, however, the immediate issue was the television interview itself and what she viewed as a basic legal question that went unanswered.

The White House previously acknowledged Trump’s interest in the case, but Trump has not indicated that he has the authority to pardon Clancy.

His comments following the mistrial described the underlying case as a “horrible tragedy” while suggesting that the eventual outcome could involve incarceration or institutionalization.

ABC News and Reddington had been asked for comment regarding the interview and Kelly’s criticism.

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