As Trump presidency ends, N.J. congressman concerned about pardon abuse

Published reports that political allies of President Donald Trump are getting paid to help wealthy clients obtain pardons during the final days of the Trump presidency has drawn the wrath of a Demcoratic congressman from New Jersey, Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York).

“If there has been one guiding principle of President Trump’s time in office it has been that the President acts in his own best interest, not in the best interest of our nation,” Sires said. “As President Trump’s term draws to a close, I am highly concerned about further corruption and abuses of power in the final hours. Even after Trump has left office, I will work with my colleagues to protect our democracy and address abuses of the pardon power.”

Sires said that pardons for the politically connected “would harm our democratic institutions and the rule of law.”

In New Jersey, Republicans are waiting to see if Trump pardons George Gilmore, a former Ocean County GOP Chairman who was convicted on tax-related federal charges in 2019.

Gilmore faces 366 days in prison but has not yet begun serving his sentence.

A pardon, many Republicans say, might embolden Gilmore to seek a return to his old post at the helm of the state’s most powerful GOP organization.