Podcast Summary: “No MAGA Left Behind”?! Trump’s Pardons Are a Corrupt Free-For-All
Podcast Information:
- Title: Bulwark Takes
- Host: Sam Stein
- Guest: Bill Kristol, Author of Morning Shots and Political Commentator
- Episode Title: “No MAGA Left Behind”?! Trump’s Pardons Are a Corrupt Free-For-All
- Release Date: May 27, 2025
- Description: Bulwark Takes delivers concise analyses of daily news from The Bulwark team. In this episode, Sam Stein and Bill Kristol delve into former President Trump's controversial use of pardon power, exploring its implications for politics and the rule of law.
Introduction to the Topic
[00:00] Sam Stein:
Sam Stein opens the discussion by introducing Bill Kristol, highlighting his role as an influential voice within The Bulwark team. The primary focus of the episode is Trump's recent use of his pardon power, as covered in their latest newsletter, Morning Shots.
Trump’s Pardons and Initial Case Analysis
[00:42] Bill Kristol:
Kristol discusses Trump's pardon of Scott Jenkins, a former sheriff in Culpeper, Virginia, convicted of selling auxiliary sheriff jobs for personal gain. Jenkins was sentenced to 10 years in jail but received a pardon from Trump at the recommendation of Ed Martin, the current senior official in the Department of Justice.
Notable Quote:
"Ed Martin recommended this pardon, and the president accepted the recommendation. He doesn’t deserve a pardon." — Bill Kristol [00:42]
Politicization of Pardon Power
[02:01] Sam Stein:
Stein emphasizes the unprecedented politicization of the pardon power, comparing it to previous administrations where pardons were abused but not as overtly politicized.
[02:15] Bill Kristol:
Kristol elaborates on how Trump's pardons are now highly politicized, particularly targeting MAGA supporters and individuals involved in the January 6th insurrection. He underscores the lack of effective checks on this power, noting that the courts have largely upheld the president’s authority to pardon without substantial limitations.
Notable Quote:
"He can pardon people who are engaged in political activities designed to help Trump and intimidate opponents." — Bill Kristol [02:16]
Corruption and Personal Pardon Cases
[05:29] Sam Stein:
Stein introduces a more egregious instance of pardon misuse reported by the New York Times, involving Paul Walczak, who pleaded guilty to significant tax fraud. Walczak’s mother, a prominent Republican donor, attended a high-priced fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, after which her son received a pardon.
[08:49] Bill Kristol:
Kristol connects this case to the broader theme of corruption, suggesting that the pardon power is being leveraged to funnel money into Trump’s political machinery. He highlights how Pardons like Walczak’s not only serve as personal bailouts but also enhance Trump’s political influence.
Notable Quote:
"The Trump pardon power has become a tool to shake people down or take bribes." — Bill Kristol [08:49]
Erosion of Institutional Checks
[06:38] Sam Stein:
Stein references Liz Oyer, a former DOJ pardon attorney, who resisted pardoning figures like Mel Gibson’s associate for gun offenses. Oyer was subsequently fired, illustrating the dismantling of internal checks within the Justice Department.
[10:58] Bill Kristol:
Kristol reflects on the complicity within the White House and Justice Department, noting that many officials are either willingly complicit or believe they can mitigate the president’s overreach from within. He expresses concern over the widespread acceptance of actions that undermine the rule of law.
Impact on the Rule of Law and Future Risks
[12:43] Bill Kristol:
Kristol discusses the psychological transformation of individuals within the Trump administration, who may have entered politics with different intentions but became true believers over time. He warns that the entrenched momentum from electoral victories enables ongoing abuses of power.
[13:40] Sam Stein:
Stein adds that the systemic issues extend beyond pardons, citing examples like Harvard accepting $100 million to vet social media feeds of foreign student visa applicants. He underscores the pervasive nature of these abuses and the potential for them to escalate.
Notable Quote:
"He can pardon people who are MAGA types engaged in corruption or dangerous acts, giving them a get-out-of-jail free card." — Bill Kristol [02:16]
Potential for Further Abuse and Lack of Accountability
[14:52] Bill Kristol:
Kristol emphasizes that with Trump holding the presidency for another four years, the scale and speed of abuses of the pardon power could intensify. He fears that internal resistance within the administration is minimal, leading to unchecked expansion of this corrupt practice.
[15:21] Sam Stein:
Stein concludes by expressing deep concern over the systemic corruption and the erosion of democratic norms, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and collective action to counteract these developments.
Conclusion
Sam Stein and Bill Kristol provide a comprehensive analysis of how Trump’s expansive use of pardons represents a significant threat to the integrity of the presidency and the rule of law. Through specific cases and broader systemic observations, they illustrate a concerning trend of politicized and potentially corrupt pardoning practices that undermine democratic institutions and accountability.
Key Takeaways:
- Unprecedented Politicization: Trump’s pardon power is being used as a tool to reward loyalists and intimidate opponents, surpassing previous administrations in its politicized application.
- Corruption and Influence: Pardons are being leveraged to funnel money into Trump’s political apparatus, exemplifying a direct link between corruption and political gain.
- Erosion of Checks and Balances: Internal checks within the Justice Department have been dismantled, leading to increased complicity and reduced accountability among officials.
- Future Risks: The continued and unchecked use of pardon power poses significant risks to democratic norms and the rule of law, with potential for further corruption and abuse.
This episode of Bulwark Takes serves as a critical examination of the dangers posed by the abuse of presidential pardon power, highlighting the urgent need for institutional reforms and heightened public awareness to safeguard democratic principles.