Republican legislator criticizes Trump's decision to pardon Honduran president

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) stated on Monday that she would not have approved President Trumps planned pardon for former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernndez.

I would have never done that, but I am not the commander in chief, and I do not hold the pen that issues pardons, Salazar told CNNs Inside Politics. She emphasized her personal disagreement with the decision, citing Hernndezs conviction for drug trafficking.

Salazar also concurred with CNN anchor Dana Bashs characterization of Hernndez as a thug, agreeing with the description. However, she refrained from directly criticizing Trumps choice and praised his approach toward Venezuela. I wouldnt have taken that action, but I am not in the Oval Office. What the president is doing with Venezuela is correct for many reasons, she said.

Trump publicly announced the pardon on Truth Social last Friday. In his post, he stated that Hernndez had been treated very harshly and unfairly according to those he respects. Hernndez had been sentenced in June 2024 to 45 years in prison for his involvement with drug trafficking over a decade, according to The Associated Press.

The timing of the pardon came just days before Hondurans were scheduled to vote for a new president. Trump endorsed conservative candidate Nasry Tito Asfura, expressing strong support for his potential presidency. Trump commented, If Tito Asfura wins for President of Honduras, the United States will fully support him. If not, we cannot risk backing the wrong leader, which could have catastrophic consequences.

When asked about the pardon, Trump suggested that many Hondurans believed the previous administration had influenced Hernndezs conviction, though he clarified it was not President Biden personally involved. A White House official confirmed that Hernndez had three weeks to prepare his defense and claimed that the LIBRE Party had a role in his sentencing.

Analysis

I note that Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar publicly stated she would not have approved President Trump’s decision to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández. She emphasized her disagreement based on Hernández’s drug trafficking conviction while clarifying that the authority to issue pardons rests solely with the president.

I also observe that Salazar agreed with the characterization of Hernández as a “thug,” yet avoided direct criticism of Trump. At the same time, she expressed support for Trump’s broader policy toward Venezuela, separating that issue from the pardon decision.

I highlight that President Trump announced the pardon on Truth Social, arguing that Hernández had been treated unfairly. Hernández was sentenced in June 2024 to 45 years in prison for drug trafficking offenses spanning more than a decade.

I consider the timing significant, as the pardon was issued shortly before Honduras was set to vote for a new president. Trump publicly endorsed conservative candidate Nasry “Tito” Asfura and linked U.S. support to the election outcome.

I further note that Trump suggested the conviction was influenced by Honduras’s previous administration, while a White House official stated that Hernández had limited time to prepare his defense and alleged involvement of the LIBRE Party in the sentencing process.

Sources:

• GOP lawmaker on Trump’s pardon of Honduran president: Never would have done it