Bulwark Takes Republicans Have No Answer For Trump's Latest Pardon
Dec 10, 2025
Will Saletan dives into Donald Trump’s controversial pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, exposing how it clashes with anti-drug efforts. He critiques Republican senators, highlighting Markwayne Mullin's flawed defense and Roger Marshall's evasion tactics. Saletan dissects Trump's claim that the prosecution was politically motivated and argues against Tom Cotton's geopolitical justification. Rand Paul’s strong condemnation stands out, as Saletan concludes that many Republicans show silence and cowardice instead of opposing this troubling action.
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Pardon Undermines Anti-Drug Rhetoric
- Donald Trump's pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández contradicts his administration's public anti-drug rhetoric.
- Will Saletan argues the pardon reflects political motives, not a credible law-enforcement strategy.
Trump's Public Explanation For The Pardon
- Will Saletan recounts Trump's public explanation that Honduras asked for the pardon and framed the prosecution as a Biden setup.
- Saletan highlights Trump's claim that he 'looked at the facts and I agreed with them' as the administration's stated rationale.
Senators' Evasive Responses
- Republican senators struggled to defend the pardon, often claiming ignorance or deflecting.
- Saletan presents those responses as evidence of GOP unwillingness to criticize the president.