President Trump has issued pardons and clemency to multiple individuals in the past two weeks. Conservative author Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance law in 2014, got a full pardon last week. Then, Trump commuted the life sentence of Alice Johnson, a 63-year-old great grandmother, had already spent 20 years in prison for a first time nonviolent drug offense.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has another candidate in mind. David Petraeus, he says, deserves it. The former CIA director and retired four-star Army general who led efforts in the Iraq War, resigned in November 2012 after his extramarital affair with former military officer Paula Broadwell came to light. Further reports found that he had shared classified information with her. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of mishandling classified materials, receiving probation and a $100,000 fine.
He committed a felony, but Petraeus's leadership in Iraq should not be forgotten and his reputation should not be tarnished, Cornyn said.
"I think General Petraeus is an incredible patriot, and helped guide our country during a very difficult time in Iraq and basically pulled a rabbit out of a hat there," Cornyn told radio host Hugh Hewitt Thursday. "But he made a terrible mistake. What I respect about General Petraeus is he admitted it candidly and publicly, and took responsibility for it. You don’t see that much in Washington. So I would be, I’d be happy to see the president put General Petraeus high on that list."
Trump issued the following statement after his full pardon of D'Souza.
"Mr. D’Souza was, in the President’s opinion, a victim of selective prosecution for violations of campaign finance laws. Mr. D’Souza accepted responsibility for his actions, and also completed community service by teaching English to citizens and immigrants seeking citizenship."
On Thursday, he wished the newly freed Ms. Johnson a happy life.
Good luck to Alice Johnson. Have a wonderful life!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2018
Trump is also considering pardons of businesswoman Martha Stewart and former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the latter of which has been met with particular controversy.
Another potential Trump pardon could be...himself?