The US Senate and House Democrats have opened an investigation into the recipients of President Trump’s pardons to determine whether they fall under the “pay-to-play” dynamic.
For the uninitiated, “pay-to-play” refers to a system where individuals or businesses make large donations to political campaigns or government officials in order to receive preferential treatment, government contracts, or in some cases special access, effectively jeopardizing public office.
The letters sent to recipients of executive clemency by California Congressmen Dave Min and Raul Ruiz, as well as Vermont Senator Peter Welch, sought information on how the recipients could have received the favorable treatment.
The documents obtained by CBS News state that pardons by President Trump deprive victims of compensation and justice. The most prominent pardon recipients include cryptocurrency billionaire Changpeng Zhao, nursing home operator Joseph Schwartz and entrepreneur Trevor Milton.
- Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to money laundering
- Joseph Schwartz was convicted of tax crimes
- Trevor Milton was convicted of lying to an investor and sentenced to four years in prison
The letters argue that Trump’s pardon violates the principles laid down by the US Supreme Court regarding pardons: an act of clemency exercised for the public good.
House Democrats sought information about donations and financial transactions that pardon recipients gave to lawyers, lobbyists, social media influencers and others who spoke on their behalf before Trump.
Democrats currently lack the subpoena power and can only request the cooperation of pardon recipients since they are in the minority in both the House and Senate.
