Overview
- President Trump recently pardoned Orlando Hernández, George Santos, Changpeng Zhao and Rep. Henry Cuellar, drawing fresh scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
- House Oversight Chair James Comer said he would not have pardoned Santos, Cuellar or Hernández, acknowledging the decision rests with the president.
- The White House defended the process, saying pardons receive DOJ and White House Counsel review and that the president makes the final call.
- Trump installed Ed Martin as the Justice Department’s pardon attorney, prompting Republican questions about who is shaping recommendations.
- The decisions carry immediate political effects, with Santos reappearing at the Capitol wearing his old member pin and Trump publicly rebuking Cuellar after the Texas Democrat declined to switch parties.