Pardons Pledged: DeSantis, Haley Offer Trump a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley recently pledged to pardon former President Donald Trump if he is convicted in the impeachment trial that began this week. The trial of Donald Trump, whom DeSantis and Haley have been outspoken supporters of, has been highly contested and legally complicated. If charged with high crimes involving his past actions, Trump may have to face the consequences in the form of a harsh sentence. However, DeSantis and Haley have made a commitment to take an action to protect the former President from criminal condemnation, should any happen. Both governors, along with a slew of other Trump allies, have declared pre-indictment exoneration of Trump should he be found to have committed any high crimes. This preemptive pardon would swat away any potential risks Trump could face if the senate finds him guilty. Although presidential pardons usually serve as a means of mitigating punishments for non-political crimes, DeSantis and Haley’s (and potential other pardons from Trump allies) promise to pardon Trump could be one of the first of its kind. Political pardons have not been unheard of in the past, as most recently former President Obama pardoned two turkeys who won a White House holiday contest only a few years back. However, a presidential pardon due to a political trial could set a new legal precedence. As of now, the impeachment trial continues to unfold with no immediate end in sight. While some maintain that Trump ought to face the consequences that come with facing an impeachment trial, others, like the two governors in question, are putting forth their own solutions should he be convicted. It remains to be seen whether a presidential pardon will indeed be necessary, but what is certain is that DeSantis and Haley’s symbolic dedication to supporting the former president may have lasting effects on the future of proceedings like this.