Bulwark Takes Trump's Honduras Pardon Looks Worse and Worse
Dec 2, 2025
Will Saletan, a journalist specializing in policy and national-security issues, joins Sam Stein to unravel Trump’s controversial pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. They dissect how Trump's rationale crumbled under scrutiny, particularly the lack of evidence and vetting. Saletan highlights the damaging implications for U.S. credibility in drug enforcement and the chilling effects on witness safety. This discussion reveals a troubling pattern of Trump favoring corrupt leadership, raising alarms for future policy.
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Trump's Justification Collapses
- Donald Trump justified pardoning the ex-Honduran president by claiming the Honduran people said he was set up.
- That claim falls apart against public facts showing a U.S. prosecution with extensive evidence.
Prosecution Predates Biden
- The prosecution of Juan Orlando Hernández began during Trump's first term, undermining claims it was a Biden setup.
- Evidence included cooperating witnesses and allegations of bribes from El Chapo that led to a 45-year sentence.
Pardon Lacked Vetting
- Emil Bovee, who had ties to Trump, was involved in parts of the case, showing Trump didn't vet the pardon.
- That lapse suggests the pardon relied on partisan channels and not a neutral review.