1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the integrity of our presidential pardon system and to urge immediate action to ensure transparency and accountability in this critical process. Recent news of fraudsters lobbying for presidential pardons has highlighted the urgent need for reform in how pardons are granted and overseen. The power of presidential pardons is a cornerstone of our justice system, intended to provide mercy and correct injustices. However, this power can be abused when influenced by special interests or manipulated by those with nefarious intentions. The fact that individuals engaged in fraudulent activities are actively seeking pardons undermines public trust in our institutions and the rule of law. To address this issue, I strongly urge you to introduce or support legislation that would: 1. Require full disclosure of all individuals and organizations involved in pardon requests, including any lobbyists or intermediaries. 2. Establish an independent review board to evaluate pardon applications and provide non-binding recommendations to the President. 3. Mandate a public report detailing the reasoning behind each granted pardon, to be released within 30 days of the pardon being issued. 4. Implement a "cooling-off" period that restricts pardoned individuals from making political contributions or engaging in lobbying activities for a set number of years following their pardon. These measures would significantly increase transparency in the pardon process, deter potential abuse, and help restore public faith in this important executive power. As my representative, I ask that you prioritize this issue and work across party lines to enact meaningful reform. The integrity of our justice system and the public's trust in government institutions are at stake. We must act now to ensure that presidential pardons serve their intended purpose of justice and mercy, rather than becoming tools for the well-connected to evade accountability. I look forward to hearing about the specific steps you plan to take to address this critical issue.