By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Donald Trump pardoned Timothy Leiweke, an entertainment executive, shortly after a golf game where Leiweke’s attorney, Trey Gowdy, allegedly discussed Leiweke’s case. The pardon, issued despite Leiweke facing charges of rigging a $375 million University of Texas arena bid, undermines the Justice Department’s case. Gowdy reportedly urged Trump to intervene, and Leiweke, who pleaded not guilty, has since expressed gratitude and plans to pursue new ventures. This action comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of concert ticket prices and the Justice Department’s antitrust efforts to address rising costs.
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Trump Was Persuaded Into Pardoning Golf Partner’s Client Over 18 Holes, and the whole situation paints a pretty clear picture. It seems the former president granted a full pardon to Timothy Leiweke, an entertainment executive, after a round of golf at Mar-a-Lago. This wasn’t just any golf game; Leiweke’s attorney, Trey Gowdy, a former Republican congressman, was also present. The implications here are striking.
Trump’s pardon, in essence, undermined his own Justice Department’s criminal case against Leiweke. The case centered around alleged rigging of a $375 million bid for a Texas basketball arena. It also hampered a related civil case concerning competition and pricing in live events. Leiweke was facing some serious consequences, including a potential ten-year prison sentence and a hefty $1 million fine. All of this, apparently, was sidestepped thanks to a round of golf.
The whole thing smacks of cronyism and a complete disregard for the rule of law. It’s almost impossible not to see this as a blatant exchange of favors. One can imagine the “persuasion” process: a deal struck over eighteen holes, perhaps a whispered promise of a win on the green in exchange for a pardon down the line. It’s a depressing thought, really.
The swiftness with which this pardon was granted – right after a golf game – raises serious questions about the integrity of the process. It’s hard not to wonder what exactly was negotiated on those eighteen holes. Was it a straightforward bribe? Did Leiweke’s attorney, Trey Gowdy, negotiate some sort of “fee” for the pardon? The fact that the pardon effectively nullified the Justice Department’s work is deeply disturbing.
The details of the arena bid and the potential prison sentence Leiweke faced emphasize the gravity of the situation. That $375 million contract was on the line, and Leiweke was accused of conspiring to secure it for his company. The pardon, therefore, seems to be a brazen move to protect someone accused of serious wrongdoing, a move that only came about due to a personal favor.
Considering that the former president’s name is often associated with golf, it’s not surprising that this pardon was linked to a round of golf. It seems as though the sport was used as a vehicle for making backroom deals. The idea that someone could commit a crime, potentially face years in prison and a substantial fine, and then walk away free because of a golf game is simply appalling.
The involvement of Trey Gowdy adds another layer of intrigue. Gowdy, once a figure known for his conservative principles, appears to have facilitated this deal. It is hard to imagine that he didn’t grasp the ethical and legal implications of such a move.
The financial aspects are also worth considering. The cost of Trump’s golf outings, and the overall price of his security is a considerable burden on taxpayers. It is hard to reconcile this spending with the idea that the former president was acting in the best interests of the country.
The sheer number of pardons and commutations issued during Trump’s time in office raises serious questions about whether these were driven by genuine justice concerns or by personal connections and deals. It’s easy to see how one might suspect that there was some form of a quid pro quo involved in these decisions, something that seems to have occurred here.
Ultimately, this instance highlights how easily the system can be manipulated, and the potential for corruption when power and personal relationships collide. The fact that an entire Justice Department case could be effectively wiped out after a round of golf should be a cause for concern for anyone who believes in the rule of law.