During an interview Senator Lindsey Graham R-S.C. strongly rebuked former President Donald Trump’s practice of granting pardons to Capitol riot participants convicted of violent offenses. Graham shared his views during NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday declaring “I think pardoning the Capitol rioters who assaulting police officers violently was wrong.”
Only several hours after taking office for a second term Trump released pardons to thousands of supporters involved in the Capitol riots which he promised to free throughout his presidential campaign. The pardons extended by Trump covered individuals who had both admitted to and been convicted for violent behavior during the Capitol riots which left more than 140 police officers hurt.
Graham expressed condemnation regarding this pardon decision because he believes it represents an abuse of executive power to absorb discretionally. He linked the pardoning actions to President Joe Biden by pointing out how Biden granted pardons to “half his family” just before leaving office. Graham cautioned that Americans would seek changes to presidential pardon powers unless things continue in their current state. 
In a statement Senator Adam Schiff D-Calif paid tribute to Graham’s ideas by discussing the ongoing causes that result from these pardons. Receiving pardon protection under President Trump extends to both minor and major illegal acts because Trump has shown willingness to forgive “any” misconduct of his children. Sending such a message to the public should never be your objective as a president,” Schiff emphasized.
Even though there was criticism Graham noted Trump had maintained consistency in upholding his electoral promise. In his defense he reaffirmed his opposition to granting pardons for individuals who cause violence because he believes “I don’t like the idea of bailing people out of jail or pardoning people who burn down cities and beat up cops.”
Presidential pardon power limits and accountability remain under debate since Trump’s recent actions became a hot button issue.
