You’re Pardoned
U.S. President Donald Trump has pardoned U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and his wife. The Cuellars are accused of accepting bribes to advance foreign interests and were scheduled for trial in April. The pardon frees the couple from prosecution—a prosecution the President contends was a result of Rep. Cuellar’s opposition to former President Joe Biden’s immigration policy.
Shortly after the pardon was announced, Rep. Cueller announced his intention to seek reelection as a Democrat. President Trump responded on social media and accused Rep. Cueller of a “lack of loyalty.”
Analysis and eternal perspective: “Who has the authority?” Do you remember this question? We last asked it only a minute or two before (the Founders would be so pleased), and it is the appropriate place to begin this analysis. In the case of pardons, presidents have sweeping authority to issue them.
Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution reads: “The President . . . shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.”
While there are sometimes disputes over what constitutes an offence against the United States, there is very little dispute that a president can issue a pardon such as the one just granted to Rep. Cuellar. On the other hand, the question of whether a president should issue a particular pardon is a regular debate, as is the question of whether the Constitution should be amended to adjust this power.
You may have an opinion on one or both of these questions, but as you consider this story, remember to do so with these two scriptural concepts in mind:
1) “In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines” (Pr. 18:17).
2) “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him” (Pr. 11:1).
Perhaps you favor a change in the pardon power. Whether that change is accomplished or not, you and I should be devoted to a merit-based application of justice that holds the guilty accountable (Is. 1:17) and avoids partiality (Deut. 10:17). We should personally abide by these precepts, and we should expect the same of our elected leaders.
The preceding article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.