‘Spreading immunity to friends’: Outrage growing over Trump’s pardons of allies and friends

Abuse of Presidential Pardon Power - The report suggests that Donald Trump's use of presidential pardons undermines the rule of law and justice system [2] - It highlights concerns that pardons are being handed out based on loyalty rather than a fair process, potentially licensing future criminal behavior [2][5] - The analysis points out the lack of standard vetting processes in pardon decisions, raising concerns about pardoning violent offenders or those likely to re-offend [6] - The report indicates a potential "odor of grift," suggesting that money and connections may be influencing pardon decisions [7][13] Specific Case Analysis - The case of Jonathan Braun, who received a commutation from Trump and subsequently committed more crimes, is presented as an example of the negative consequences of freewheeling pardons [2][11] - Braun's case illustrates how Trump's handling of commutations allowed a convict with a history of violence to return to criminality, including assaulting a three-year-old [2][11][17][18] - It is mentioned that Braun's commutation may have hindered an ongoing investigation by the Southern District of New York (SDNY) [13] Implications for Justice System - The report raises concerns about the message sent to the Department of Justice, suggesting that fear of retribution may discourage them from acting against those who have been pardoned or had their sentences commuted [21] - It emphasizes that federal pardons do not affect state laws, putting pressure on state prosecutors to address crimes committed by pardoned individuals [22] - The report references the pardon of a Binance cryptocurrency tycoon, highlighting Trump's apparent lack of knowledge about the individuals he pardoned and the potential national security implications [3][4]