Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, along with Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats, has written to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking clarification on the Trump Administration's approach to pardons. The letters ask for details on the Department of Justice's role in pardons and commutations issued by former President Donald Trump for crimes related to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Additionally, the senators seek information on the DOJ's position on the scope of these pardons.

In one of the letters, the senators express concern over the pardons granted by Trump on January 20, 2025. The letter highlights the release of individuals involved in the Capitol riot, emphasizing the potential risks these individuals pose. "As you know, on January 20, 2025, President Trump granted clemency to every person convicted for their role in the deadly attack," the senators wrote. They question whether the DOJ adhered to guidelines when considering pardons and express concern about the DOJ's shifting position on the scope of the criminal conduct covered by Trump's clemency.

The senators asked AG Bondi for a response by April 22, 2025, regarding the Trump Administration's actions and DOJ's involvement. They seek clarity on DOJ's role in informing Trump's opinion on President Biden’s Executive Grant of Clemency to members of Congress involved in the investigation of the January 6th attack. The letter mentions Trump's claim of using autopens for signing documents.

"As a threshold matter, the Constitution does not grant any president the power to undo a pardon," the senators state. They emphasize the validity of President Biden’s clemency. "It is clear that President Biden’s January 19, 2025, Executive Grant of Clemency... is a valid and lawful exercise of the president’s pardon power."

AG Bondi has been requested to provide responses to the series of questions posed in both letters by April 22, 2025.