Trump's Disastrous Year of Pardons: A Threat to Justice

The Unforgivable Abuse of Executive Clemency

As we reflect on the year, one cannot escape the chilling realization that President Trump has brought presidential pardoning to an unprecedented low. His actions have not merely bent the rules; they have shattered any remaining semblance of justice and accountability in a system already fraught with inequality. This year, he issued numerous pardons that are not only reckless but also profoundly disturbing, signaling a troubling trend in the politicization of clemency.

“Executive clemency exists to afford relief from undue harshness or evident mistake in the operation or enforcement of the criminal law.”

Questionable Pardons: A List of the Notorious

Among the most egregious examples of misuse, Trump has pardoned individuals who were convicted of serious crimes, including:

• Michele Fiore: A Nevada politician convicted for misusing funds from a police memorial for personal expenses, including plastic surgery, received a pardon.
• Scott Jenkins: This former sheriff now boasts a pardon after taking bribes for badges. Such clemency raises significant ethical questions.
• Todd and Julie Chrisley: These reality TV stars found themselves pardoned after being convicted of tax evasion, largely because their daughter campaigned for Trump.
• Imaad Zuberi: A major donor whose extensive criminal activities included illegal lobbying had his sentence commuted.

These cases illustrate not just a disregard for the law, but a broader message that certain friendships can indeed change the trajectory of justice.

Historical Context: The Pardon Power

Pardoning is not a novel concept in American politics. Historically, presidents like George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have similarly used their powers to issue controversial pardons. Yet, the mechanisms behind these decisions were typically governed by thorough scrutiny conducted by the Department of Justice. This practice was spearheaded by the Office of the Pardon Attorney—an institution I once oversaw.

While previous administrations sought expert evaluations of clemency applications, Trump's administration has categorically disbanded this due process. Absentee guidelines have set a dangerous precedent; we must ask ourselves what this means for the rule of law moving forward.

My Experience as Pardon Attorney

During my tenure as the pardon attorney, I witnessed firsthand how critical thorough evaluation is when addressing clemency. Applications undergo rigorous reviews, considering the applicant's past conduct, efforts toward rehabilitation, and community feedback—all intended to ensure fairness and justice. Unfortunately, Trump's administration disregarded these practices entirely. Applications that typically would have been vetted by bipartisan experts were shuffled into a void, leaving us with the chaos we see today.

The sudden shift in the presidential pardon process hit hard on Inauguration Day when I learned Trump had pardoned about 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 riot without a whisper of consultation. Dutifully, my office was tasked with facilitating these releases, an affront to the respectful practice of clemency that had been prior.

Congressional Responsibility: A Call to Action

The silence from Congress is glaring. Instead of stepping up to address this alarming abuse of power, many congressional Republicans have turned their focus toward investigations of Biden's pardoning decisions, even as Trump's aggressive clemency exercises continue to trample the essential framework of justice.

Legacy and Looking Forward

President Biden's last-minute pardons may have diminished the legitimacy of the pardon power, but they do not excuse Trump's radical behavior. Regardless of one's political affiliations, the implications of undermining justice should terrify any American citizen. Trusting our justice system requires that we demand integrity and impartiality from our leaders.

It's time we unite against the erosion of democratic norms, especially ones that protect justice's integrity. If there's one lesson to be learned from this year of unprecedented clemency abuses, it's that we must remain vigilant. Our nation deserves leaders who recognize that the pursuit of justice is a responsibility they have to uphold—not exploit.