GOP senator on Trump pardons: ‘this is rotten to the core’

Her. Ben SasseBen SasseNo, Biden hasn’t won yet – another nightmare scenario Members of both parties hail Supreme Court ruling Sasse: Supreme Court ‘closed the book’ on election nonsense MORE (R-Neb.) Blasted Wednesday President TrumpDonald Trump Senate candidate Ossoff backs Trump’s call for K-checks The White House wishes Birx well after she announces retirement Pelosi responds to Trump: Let’s aim for K-checks ‘this week’ MORElatest pardon from political allies such as the former Trump campaign chairman Paul ManafortPaul John Manafort Republican Senators Urge Trump To Dodge Pardon Controversies For Trump Haters Everything Is A Crime 3 Takeaways From The Michael Flynn Pardon MORE and political advisor Roger StoneRoger Jason Stone Trump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers Barr exit points to further uproar under Trump Barr goes out with ‘love letter’ to Trump MORE as ‘rotten to the core’.

Sasse released his statement on Wednesday evening, specifically mentioning Manafort and Stone.

“This is rotten to the core,” he said in a short one-liner.

Sasse’s statement said that “criminals like Manafort and Stone” had “blatantly and repeatedly broken the law and harmed Americans.”

Sasse was the first GOP senator to come out of the gate to criticize the pardon. Others are likely to follow.

Trump also forgave Charles Kushner, his son-in-law’s father, Jared KushnerJared Corey Kushner White House Advisers Prepare To Launch Nonprofits To Promote Trump’s Policies: Deutsche Bank Report Says Trump’s Private Bankers Resigned Trump Faces Bipartisan, International Setback Over Western Sahara Recognition LAKE. The elder Kushner pleaded guilty to 16 charges of tax evasion and retaliation against a witness in 2004. He served two years in prison.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris ChristieChris ChristieChristie says he won’t rule out running against Trump in 2024 that Trump must admit as a holiday gift to the nation Chris Christie posts video on people refusing to wear a mask: ‘Learn from my experience’ MORE, who prosecuted Charles Kushner at the time, said his crimes were among the “most disgusting” he had faced.

Rep. Adam SchiffAdam Bennett Schiff Trump Pardons Individuals Indicted in Russia, Ex-GOP Lawmakers Clyburn: We May Need a 9/11 Like Committee for COVID-19 Response NY Times has no news fit to print about Rep. Swalwell and a spy MORE (D-Calif.), The lead Democratic prosecutor during Trump’s impeachment trial, called Manafort’s pardon particularly scandalous.

During the Mueller investigation, Trump’s attorney pardoned Manafort. Manafort withdrew his association with prosecutors, lied, was convicted and then Trump praised him for not having “ rats. ” Trump’s pardon now completes the corrupt plan. Lawless to the bitter end, ”Schiff tweeted Wednesday.

Several Senate Republicans urged Trump to prevent a pardon scandal from developing.

Her. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret Collins Transitional Act Stands Fight to Declare Victory, Blame Congress Passes .3T Coronavirus Aid, Government Funding Congress Secures Major Agreement on Coronavirus Aid, Government Funding (R-Maine) earlier this month, Trump advised following the recommendations of the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney.

“In general, I think presidents should seek the advice of the pardon office under the Justice Department,” she said. “But the president’s authority is very broad.”

Her. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph Toomey Government Used Patriot Act To Collect Logs From Website Visitors In 2019 Appeals Court Rules NSA’s Bulk Collection Of Phone Data Illegal Dunford Withdraws From Consideration To Lead Coronavirus Monitoring Panel MORE (R-Pa.), Retiring from Congress in late 2022, said, “I think pardon should be used very judiciously.”

Trump’s controversial pardon is likely to lead to further debate about whether the president’s broad constitutional power over federal punishments should be re-examined.

Paul Rosenzweig, who served as prosecutor during the Whitewater investigation of former President Clinton, wrote in The Atlantic on Wednesday that one of the country’s founding fathers, George Mason, foresaw the possibility that future presidents could use a pardon to political allies or help accomplices.

Mason argued that the president “should not have the power to grant pardons, as he can often forgive crimes he has advised himself.”

‘It may happen that in the future he will establish a monarchy and destroy the republic. If he has the power to pardon before being charged or convicted, should he not stop the investigation and prevent detection? ” He wrote.