President Trump said Monday he’d move to protect Elon Musk if Democrats investigate the SpaceX and Tesla CEO after midterm elections.

• He also suggested the possibility of pre-emptive pardons for staff and others around him if Democrats win the election.

Why it matters: Trump is positioning himself for a combative final two years in the White House, as polls increasingly point to the prospect of a significant blue wave.

What they’re saying: In an interview for the “Pod Force One” podcast published early Monday, host Miranda Devine asked Trump about rumors of Musk being investigated or having assets seized.

• “It’s talk. But if it is talk, we’ll have to protect them,” Trump said.
• He went on to say he wouldn’t hesitate to pardon staffers if he thought Democrats were pursuing them.

Editor’s note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information.