The President of the United States has the opportunity to pardon people and in practice abolish punishment for convicted prisoners.

In recent weeks, Donald Trump has issued several notable pardons.

Among the most controversial names are the four men from the security company Blackwater who opened fire in 2007 and shot dead at least 14 civilians in Iraq.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump will pardon another 100 people before leaving the White House, three people in his vicinity told CNN.

Media reports have previously claimed that Trump has considered pardoning both himself and possibly also his family during his last days as president.

As recently as January 7, for example, the New York Times reported that Trump had discussed the issue with his closest advisers.

But that does not seem to be the case.

But according to CNN's informants, no such pardons are on the list.

The question of whether it is at all possible for a president to give himself a pardon is something that has been widely discussed among lawyers who are experts on constitutional issues.

However, there is no clear answer because the case has never been tried.