Rep. Olszewski Slams Trump's Pardons, Proposes Constitutional Amendment

Abuse of Pardon Power

• 🎯 Rep. Johnny Olszewski argues that the presidential pardon power is being used to absolve convicted criminals, including drug kingpins and those involved in violent acts.
• 💡 He highlights specific cases, such as pardons for individuals involved in the January 6th attack, former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, and a major drug dealer responsible for distributing cocaine in Baltimore.
• ⚠️ Olszewski states that President Trump is using the pardon power not to correct injustices, but simply because he can, without offering compelling reasons.

Historical Context of Clemency

• 📜 While focusing on current abuses, Olszewski acknowledges that presidents from both parties have historically used clemency to reward allies.
• ⚖️ Examples include President Johnson pardoning Confederates, President Clinton pardoning his half-brother, and President Biden pardoning his son.
• ⏳ Some presidents, including Trump and Biden, have issued preemptive pardons before cases could be fully presented in court.

Erosion of Trust and Proposed Solution

• 📉 These abuses are seen as eroding trust in the democratic system and undermining the principle that all laws apply equally to all Americans.
• 🏛️ To address this, Olszewski is introducing a constitutional amendment to give Congress the ability to review and overturn presidential pardons and commutations.
• 🤝 The amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority in both the House and Senate to overturn a pardon, aiming to encourage presidents to think twice before issuing outrageous pardons.
• 📊 The proposal seeks to restore public trust, which is near an all-time low, by stopping brazen abuses of clemency and ensuring no more "get out of jail free cards" for the wealthy and well-connected.