Democrats vow to investigate Trump pardon brokers if party controls Congress
Summary
Democratic lawmakers have promised to investigate a growing market where lobbyists charge fees to help people get pardons from President Donald Trump. A CBS News report showed how some brokers offer to pressure the president outside the normal Justice Department process for large sums of money.Key Facts
- Democrats say pardon power has turned into a business where lobbyists charge felons to seek pardons.
- A CBS News hidden-camera investigation exposed lobbyists promising to pressure President Trump for $300,000 or more.
- Traditional Justice Department clemency review, which checks for remorse and rehabilitation, has often been bypassed under President Trump.
- About 70% of clemency actions in Trump’s second term did not follow the traditional Justice Department process.
- Some brokers submit pardon petitions directly to the White House, telling clients the usual process is unlikely to succeed.
- Democrats plan to make this pardon system corruption a priority if they win control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections.
- The White House and some officials deny any illegal pay-for-pardon dealings, stating a strict review process is in place.
- At least one Republican, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, publicly criticized the current pardon system linked to President Trump.
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