Trump is attempting to legitimize corruption through misuse of his pardon authority

Recent actions by President Trump reveal a growing pattern of using his pardon power to protect allies and reward loyalty, often at the expense of justice. While his administration publicly targets drug operations abroad, he has simultaneously granted clemency to powerful figures convicted of major crimes, raising concerns about the abuse of presidential authority.

One striking example is the pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernndez, who had been serving a 45-year sentence in the U.S. for orchestrating a massive and violent drug-trafficking operation. This move starkly contrasts with Trumps frequent tough-on-drugs rhetoric and highlights the selective use of pardons.

Trumps pardon practices extend far beyond foreign leaders. Since the start of his current term, he has issued over 2,000 pardons and commutationsten times the number granted during his first term. These actions often favor political allies, wealthy donors, and connected business figures, rather than addressing genuine miscarriages of justice.

High-profile recipients include individuals convicted of fraud, drug trafficking, or other serious crimes. For instance, the founder of the Silk Road website and a Chicago gang leader were both granted clemency shortly after Trumps inauguration. Billionaires such as Trevor Milton and Changpeng Zhao have also benefited from pardons following significant financial contributions or support for Trump-aligned ventures.

Politicians with records of corruption are frequent beneficiaries as well. This list ranges from federal figures like George Santos, Rod Blagojevich, Michael Grimm, Duncan Hunter, and Duke Cunningham to local officials such as Tennessee Statehouse Speaker Glenn Casada and Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore. Recently, Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, indicted for accepting bribes, joined this roster.

The Trump pardon strategy appears designed to secure loyalty and reward supporters rather than uphold justice. This undermines democratic norms and encourages a culture in which allegiance to the president can outweigh accountability under the law. Legal scholars and lawmakers have emphasized the need for reforms to limit the scope of the presidential pardon.

Potential reforms include constitutional amendments preventing self-pardons and restricting pardons for actions that directly benefit the president, as well as legislative measures requiring transparency and oversight. Proposed bills would mandate that the Department of Justice provide Congress with detailed justifications for pardons, ensuring that bribery and corruption cannot be excused through executive clemency.

Trumps unprecedented use of pardons has sparked widespread concern about the erosion of rule-of-law principles. The continuing trend demonstrates how executive power, when unchecked, can transform legal privileges into tools for personal and political gain. Citizens and lawmakers face the challenge of restoring accountability to maintain democratic integrity.

Author: Riley Thompson