1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern regarding the pattern, intent, and consequences of former President Donald Trump’s presidential pardons. While the Constitution grants every president the power to issue pardons, that power was never meant to be used as a shield for political allies, co-conspirators, or individuals who refused to cooperate with lawful investigations. Yet that is precisely how it was used. Many of Trump’s pardons represented a misuse of executive authority—undermining accountability, rewarding corruption, and signaling that loyalty to a leader matters more than loyalty to the law. These pardons did not simply show poor judgment; they eroded public confidence in the rule of law and set an extremely dangerous precedent for future administrations. Key concerns include: 1. Pardons issued to individuals involved in crimes that personally benefited Trump or protected him from legal or political exposure. This includes pardons for aides and associates who refused to testify, were convicted of lying to investigators, or acted to obstruct federal investigations. 2. Pardons that circumvented the Department of Justice’s established review process. The Office of the Pardon Attorney was repeatedly bypassed, replaced instead by a system in which political access—not merit—determined outcomes. 3. Pardons for individuals convicted of serious public corruption, campaign finance crimes, financial fraud, and war crimes. These decisions sent a troubling message: that political connections outweigh ethical conduct, and that even the most serious offenses can be excused through personal loyalty. 4. The potential use of the pardon power as a reward system for silence and allegiance. Multiple recipients had refused to cooperate with federal investigations, making their pardons appear less like acts of mercy and more like transactional protection. 5. The erosion of public trust in equal justice under the law. When a president uses pardons to shield those closest to him from consequences, it undermines faith in the impartiality of our justice system. For these reasons, I urge Congress to take action to strengthen oversight over the pardon process. While the constitutional power itself cannot be removed, Congress can and should enact guardrails, including: • Requiring transparency around the recommendation and review process. • Prohibiting self-serving pardons issued to close associates involved in investigations of the president. • Clarifying that pardons issued to obstruct justice may themselves be treated as potential evidence of wrongdoing. • Re-establishing norms that prevent the pardon power from being abused as a political weapon. This is not a partisan issue. It is a constitutional one. If nothing is done, future presidents—of any party—will be encouraged to exploit the pardon power for personal protection, political reward, or retaliation. The long-term health of our democracy depends on preventing that outcome. I urge you to take these concerns seriously and to act decisively to restore trust, integrity, and accountability to the presidential pardon process. Thank you for your time and your service to our country