Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has declared that if elected president, she would pardon former President Donald Trump, citing it as being "in the best interest of the country." Haley made these remarks during a campaign event captured on video by NBC News.

Haley emphasized the importance of considering the nation's well-being when making such decisions. She argued against having an 80-year-old man, who is potentially found guilty, sitting in jail and further dividing the country. "What's in the best interest of the country would be to pardon him, so that we can move on as a country and no longer talk about him," Haley stated.

The Republican contender had previously expressed her inclination to pardon Trump if he were convicted of a crime and she became the president. Though Haley has recently seen her polling numbers rise, former President Trump maintains a substantial lead over other GOP candidates. According to the Decision Desk HQ/The Hill national polling average of GOP primary polls, Trump currently enjoys 63.1 percent support, while Haley stands at 10.8 percent, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 10.6 percent.

At present, Trump faces legal challenges in four separate cases, involving a total of 91 criminal counts. Special counsel Jack Smith has brought federal indictments against Trump for his alleged involvement in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, as well as for the alleged willful retention of national defense information. The former president also faces additional charges in a New York case relating to hush-money payments to an adult film star, and a Georgia criminal RICO case connected to attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

As the race for the 2024 presidential election gains momentum, Haley's stance on pardoning Trump has become a notable talking point. While Trump remains the dominant figure in the Republican field, Haley's willingness to pardon him, if needed, adds an intriguing dynamic to the primary race.