WASHINGTON, DC — Following Donald Trump’s pardon of Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, who was facing charges related to more than $600,000 in bribes – the Not Above the Law coalition’s co-chairs – Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen; Praveen Fernandes, Vice President of the Constitutional Accountability Center; Kelsey Herbert, Campaign Director at MoveOn; and Brett Edkins, Managing Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America – released the following statement:
“Donald Trump’s pardon of Rep. Henry Cuellar is a brazen abuse of presidential power. The Founders did not entrust the president with the pardon power in order for it to be used as a tool to excuse and permit corruption throughout our government. Yet that is what Trump is doing.
“Regardless of political party, corrupt politicians should be held accountable in accordance with the law. They should not get special treatment because of their privileged status as elected representatives.
“Trump routinely undermines active investigations and prosecutions, including by pardoning Rep. Cuellar or interfering in Mayor Eric Adams’ case, pardoning convicteddrug trafficker Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced to 45 years, and pardoning January 6 insurrectionists. Whether it’s political allies, business associates,or deep-pocketed donors, Trump abuses his pardon power and interferes with DOJ matters to make his friends’ legal problems disappear. Trump has declared open season for corrupt politicians to use their offices for personal gain.”