Trump's Pardons: A Break from Tradition

President Trump's use of the pardon power in the past year has sparked significant debate. Unlike previous presidents, Trump has bypassed the traditional process, raising concerns about the fairness and integrity of the system. Trump has pardoned several individuals, many of whom are his supporters or have connections to his circle. Among them are Michele Fiore, a Nevada politician convicted of misusing funds from a police memorial, and Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff who accepted bribes. Additionally, Trump pardoned the Chrisleys, reality TV stars imprisoned for financial crimes, and commuted the sentence of Imaad Zuberi, a major donor convicted of illegal lobbying.While past presidents have also faced criticism for their pardons, they typically relied on the Justice Department's pardon attorney for evaluations. Trump, however, has largely ignored this advice, marking a departure from the norm. The pardon attorney, who led a team of lawyers to review clemency applications, found their role diminished under Trump. On Inauguration Day, Trump pardoned about 1, 500 individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot without consulting the Justice Department. This move, along with 27 more pardons in the following days, highlighted a shift away from the traditional advisory role of the Justice Department. The impact of Trump's pardon decisions may have long-lasting effects on the justice system. His approach has raised questions about the politicization of pardons and the potential erosion of trust in the process.