Democrats pledge investigation into Trump pardon brokers

Senior Democratic lawmakers have pledged to investigate a burgeoning industry of ‘pardon brokers’ operating around President Trump’s White House. The commitment follows a CBS News investigative report that used hidden cameras to document lobbyists offering to influence the presidential pardon process in exchange for significant fees.

Representative Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, stated that these actors have ‘basically converted the president’s pardon power into a for-profit industry.’ Democrats indicated they intend to examine everyone involved in this ‘assembly line of clemency for cash’ should the party regain control of Congress.

The investigation highlighted how brokers charge felons up to millions of dollars to bypass traditional Justice Department clemency channels by utilizing insider access and social media influencers. In one instance captured on video, lobbyists Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl allegedly promised a ‘pincer movement’ on the president for a $300,000 fee to apply pressure through White House insiders and influencers.