In his second term as the United States President, Donald Trump has reportedly issued more than 1,840 acts of clemency. The beneficiaries of this wave of mercy have spanned a wide array of personalities, involving cryptocurrency billionaires, disgraced politicians, reality TV stars, and hundreds of his political allies.
Historically, Presidents’ choices of people to pardon have long incited controversy, the nature of these decisions inevitably drawing scrutiny and incensing dispute. However, it seems the current President’s actions have heightened this controversy to a new level.
Experts are voicing their concerns on the matter, arguing that Trump’s use of his clemency power is not in adherence to rules and norms which have been in place for over a century. The regulations pertaining to acts of clemency have a long-standing tradition of ensuring justified and ethical practice – Trump’s recent behaviour is prompting calls for a review of these protocols.
This unexpected profusion of pardons has not only ignited debate among legal circles, but also raised an eyebrow in sectors like finance and entertainment. The inclusion of cryptocurrency billionaires and reality TV stars in this pardon spectrum brought a new dimension to the discourse around presidential pardons.
The list of those given clemency includes figures who have stirred the pot in their respective fields. The cryptocurrency billionaires, for instance, regularly make the news for their involvement in controversial activities. Similarly, disgraced politicians and reality TV stars who have been granted clemency are well-known for their provocative antics.
Among the hundreds of political allies who have been shown mercy, their collective rap sheet encompasses a range of wrongdoings, igniting further controversy over the practical exercise of the clemency power.
While the discourse around the issue grows, the balancing act between the need for checks and balances and the inviolable presidential power becomes even more critical. It remains to be seen whether these criticisms will lead to an evolution of the rules governing acts of clemency or, perhaps, change in the culture surrounding presidential pardons.
