By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump’s pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted of drug trafficking, has drawn criticism from within his own party. Several Republican senators expressed confusion and concern, citing the mixed message sent by pardoning a convicted drug trafficker while also threatening action against drug trafficking in Venezuela. Some lawmakers, such as Senator Rand Paul, questioned the logic and potential consequences of the pardon, considering Hernandez’s role in facilitating the movement of hundreds of tons of cocaine. Trump’s recent pardons, including those of individuals convicted of financial crimes and January 6th rioters, have reignited debate about the scope of presidential pardon power, with some calling for constitutional amendments to limit its application.
Read the original article here
“I Hate It”: Trump’s Pardon Of Drug Trafficker Baffles Republicans, or at least, that’s the public narrative. The reality seems far less complicated than the furrowed brows and head-scratching from some corners of the GOP would suggest. The core of the matter, as many see it, is that Trump, in the eyes of his critics, has transformed the presidential pardon into a transactional tool, a perk for those who can grease the wheels with sufficient financial incentives or provide some other form of leverage.
What’s supposedly so bewildering about this? As it stands, Trump appears to be running a “patronage court.” Those with resources offer him “tribute” of some kind, and in return, they receive favors. This particular situation involves the pardon of a drug trafficker, a move that sparked outrage across the political spectrum, particularly from those who consider themselves staunch supporters of law and order.
The optics are undeniably terrible. A convicted drug trafficker, someone who facilitated the flow of hundreds of tons of cocaine, is set free. It’s a slap in the face to law enforcement and a potential embarrassment to the Republican party, which often touts a “tough on crime” stance. Some Republicans, to their credit, have voiced their disapproval, though often with a degree of faux confusion, as if they are merely perplexed by the former president’s actions rather than fully grasping the potential corrupt intent behind them.
The accusations are plain and simple; Trump is being paid off, and his only goal is to enrich himself. There’s a certain inevitability to this narrative, one where the act of pardoning is divorced from any consideration of justice or rehabilitation. The only factors that matter are the size of the payment and the potential benefits to Trump himself.
Of course, the idea that this is “baffling” seems a bit disingenuous. Those who genuinely care about the integrity of the law shouldn’t be so surprised. This is an environment where Trump once stated, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” This type of behavior shows that those around Trump are lying about being shocked. They know what is going on, and they are accepting of it, or complicit in it.
The issue isn’t just about the act itself, but the message it sends. It undermines the credibility of the entire justice system. It creates the impression that wealth and power are enough to simply “buy” one’s way out of a conviction. It signals to criminals that the rules don’t apply to those with connections and resources, which damages the entire foundation of America’s legal structure.
It’s clear that this is a pattern. Money, it would appear, is the driving force. It’s a simple transaction: money exchanged for a pardon. Yet, what should be of public concern is the continued normalization of this behavior.
The financial connections are there, and the former president’s actions seem to align with the interests of those who have made significant financial contributions to Trump. It’s hard to ignore the “follow the money” aspect. The former president and his allies are bought and paid for by dark money.
The fact is that the Republican party must decide where they stand. They have to acknowledge that pardons are being sold. This is an ethical issue. This is a legal issue. It’s a fundamental question of what the Republican party stands for. The fact that Trump’s support base seemingly turns a blind eye towards these scandals is the part that is really hard to swallow. For those who are not involved, the choice is simple: call out the corruption, and demand accountability.