The Formula for a Trump Pardon

“When they pleaded guilty, the three men took responsibility for crimes,” the New York Times reports.

“Brian Kelsey acknowledged his involvement in an illegal campaign cash scheme. Paul Walczak expressed ‘so much shame’ for his tax fraud. Daniel Rodriguez wrote a letter to ‘apologize from the heart’ to a police officer he assaulted with a stun gun.”

“But when they or their allies pushed for pardons from President Trump, they argued that they — like him — had been unfairly targeted by prosecutors because of their politics.”

“It is an argument that has resonated with Mr. Trump, who issued full and unconditional pardons to all three of the men, as well as hundreds of other supporters convicted of an array of crimes.”