Have you heard the latest political twist? Democratic Congressman Dean Phillips is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon former President Donald Trump. Yes, you heard that right! After Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records, Phillips argues that pardoning Trump could actually be beneficial for the nation. Let’s dive into the details and see what’s behind this bold move.
Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, took to social media to voice his unusual request. He called Trump a “serial liar, cheater, and philanderer” and emphasized that a conviction only strengthens Trump’s campaign. According to Phillips, pardoning Trump would prevent him from becoming a martyr and energizing his base further. Phillips posted, “Making him a martyr over a payment to a porn star is stupid. It’s energizing his base, generating record sums of campaign cash, and will likely result in an electoral boost.”
Phillips has been making headlines this year, not just for his controversial stance on Trump, but also for his own political ambitions. He launched a primary challenge against President Biden for the 2024 Democratic nomination but ended his campaign in March after failing to gain significant support. Now, he’s back in the spotlight with his plea to Governor Hochul.
Donald Trump is a serial liar, cheater, and philanderer, a six-time declarer of corporate bankruptcy, an instigator of insurrection, and a convicted felon who thrives on portraying himself as a victim.@GovKathyHochul should pardon him for the good of the country.
— Dean Phillips (@deanbphillips) June 1, 2024
However, insiders close to Governor Hochul suggest that a pardon is “unlikely.” One insider commented, “I cannot imagine a world where she would consider doing this, this makes no sense.” Despite this, Phillips’ statement has stirred discussions across the political spectrum.
Interestingly, the guilty verdict against Trump is having a surprising effect. Many moderate Republicans and longtime Trump skeptics are rallying to his defense. Prominent figures like Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell and moderate Senator Susan Collins have criticized the verdict. McConnell remarked that the “charges never should have been brought in the first place” and predicted an appeal could overturn the conviction. Collins accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of blurring “the lines between the judicial system and the electoral system.”
Ron Bonjean, a Republican strategist, likened the situation to President Clinton’s impeachment, suggesting both cases caused significant rallying effects within their respective parties. He believes McConnell’s defense of Trump signals other mainstream Republicans to support the former president, especially as the GOP gears up for crucial battleground state elections.
Even former Vice President Mike Pence, who has been distancing himself from Trump, called the verdict an “outrage.” Pence stated, “The conviction of former President Trump on politically motivated charges is an outrage and disservice to the nation.” This sentiment echoes the claims of many Trump allies who argue that the justice system is being used unfairly against political opponents.
GOP strategist Ford O’Connell noted that the verdict could unify the Republican Party. He highlighted the significant campaign donations Trump received following the verdict as evidence of this unifying effect. A New York Times/Siena College report revealed that nearly half of the respondents from battleground states doubted Trump would get a fair trial in New York.