Opinion: Supreme Court Must Limit Trump's Unchecked Pardon Power
This opinion piece argues that the US Supreme Court must intervene to limit President Donald Trump's extensive and controversial use of presidential pardons. Since returning to office, Trump has issued over 1,800 pardons to individuals including January 6 insurrectionists, financial fraudsters, and drug kingpins. The author contends that this widespread clemency violates the constitutional framers' intent, specifically Alexander Hamilton's vision of using the power with scrupulousness and caution. The article highlights specific instances of alleged ethical breaches, such as pardoning donors' relatives and crypto-billionaire Changpeng Zhao, suggesting conflicts of interest. Furthermore, it cites reports that Trump promised mass pardons to administration officials before leaving office. The author asserts that these actions undermine democracy and the rule of law, characterizing the pardons for rioters who attacked Congress as an assault on the Constitution. Consequently, the piece calls for judicial limits on what is traditionally considered an absolute executive power to prevent further unethical and dangerous misuse.
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Opinion: Supreme Court Must Limit Trump's Unchecked Pardon Power
This opinion piece argues that the US Supreme Court must intervene to limit President Donald Trump's extensive and controversial use of presidential pardons. Since returning to office, Trump has issued over 1,800 pardons to individuals including January 6 insurrectionists, financial fraudsters, and drug kingpins. The author contends that this widespread clemency violates the constitutional framers' intent, specifically Alexander Hamilton's vision of using the power with scrupulousness and caution. The article highlights specific instances of alleged ethical breaches, such as pardoning donors' relatives and crypto-billionaire Changpeng Zhao, suggesting conflicts of interest. Furthermore, it cites reports that Trump promised mass pardons to administration officials before leaving office. The author asserts that these actions undermine democracy and the rule of law, characterizing the pardons for rioters who attacked Congress as an assault on the Constitution. Consequently, the piece calls for judicial limits on what is traditionally considered an absolute executive power to prevent further unethical and dangerous misuse.
The Guardian