Trumps Controversial Pardons Spark Bipartisan Outrage and Concerns

WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump’s pardons of white-collar criminals who support his presidency and donate to his campaigns have sparked outrage from Democrats and former law enforcement officials. Now, even some Republicans are expressing discomfort with his decisions to grant clemency and the manner in which he does so.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated, “I think that when the president pardons someone, they need to carefully explain why injustice was done. And I think pardons should be rare, and President Trump likes pardons much more than I do.”

In recent weeks, Trump has pardoned a former Virginia sheriff convicted of trying to sell deputy badges, a Las Vegas politician who stole money intended for a police memorial, a tax cheat whose mother raised millions for Republican campaigns, and reality TV stars convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion. These pardons appear politically motivated, rewarding MAGA supporters.

Trump’s pardon attorney, Ed Martin, wrote, “No MAGA left behind.” Trump also pardoned hundreds of Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, roughly 1,000 nonviolent offenders, and around 200 people accused of assaulting police. Many of those pardoned have been rearrested for other alleged crimes.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) cautioned, “On its face, you got to be pretty careful.” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) suggested the “best approach” for issuing pardons is to follow a process and make decisions based on recommendations from a parole board or the Department of Justice.

The president’s pardon power is broad and unchecked. Presidents aren’t bound to follow a specific process, though some adhere to DOJ guidelines. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) dismissed questions about Trump’s pardons, pointing to controversial pardons by President Bill Clinton.

Trump has directed his administration to investigate Biden’s actions as president, accusing his aides of concealing his “cognitive decline” and questioning the legitimacy of his use of the autopen to sign pardons and other documents. Biden denied these accusations, stating he made all decisions during his presidency.