Trump slammed for pardoning Indian-American commentator who violated campaign laws
What's the story
US President Donald Trump's decision to pardon Indian-American conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza, who was sentenced to five years of probation in 2014 for violating federal campaign laws, is being strongly condemned in New York. "By pardoning Dinesh D'Souza, President Trump is undermining the rule of law by pardoning a political supporter who is an unapologetic convicted felon," New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said.
Who is next?
Trump never spoke to or met D'Souza before last night
The president, who has never met D'Souza or spoken to him, last night called him on the phone to inform him about his decision. Trump said he spoke to the political commentator "for three minutes last night, he almost had a heart attack." Referring to previous pardons by Trump, Underwood said, "We can't afford to wait to see who will be next."
Double jeopardy loophole
Underwood urges lawmakers to act on NY's double jeopardy loophole
In April this year, the Attorney General's office sent a letter to state lawmakers urging them to close a loophole in New York's double jeopardy law. Closing the loophole would ensure that individuals who broke New York law could not evade accountability for any state crimes as a result of a strategically-timed pardon by the United States president.
New York Times
For Trump, pardons are means of vengeance: New York Times
The New York Times, in a scathing editorial titled "Dinesh D'Souza? Really?", said the president "uses whatever power he has to attack the people he feels have wronged him. For him, pardons are a means of vengeance." It added that Trump might be sending a signal of reassurance to close ones who may soon find themselves facing similar criminal charges with the Russia inquiry.