WV Democrats say Biden’s ‘egregious’ pardon choices are ‘what we would expect from Trump’

West Virginia Democrats are not pleased with President Biden’s recent choices for executive clemency recipients. In a scathing statement released late Monday, local party leaders criticized the commutations given to individuals convicted of public corruption. While they acknowledged Biden’s leadership during challenging economic times, they condemned the pardons as a betrayal of trust.

Chairman Mike Pushkin, a state lawmaker from Kanawha County, expressed disappointment in Biden’s decision, stating, “Public corruption is a betrayal of trust. When officials abuse their power for personal gain, they harm the communities they serve and erode faith in our government institutions. These pardons are exactly what we would expect from President Trump, not President Biden.”

Pushkin specifically called out Biden’s decision to pardon disgraced Pennsylvania Judge Michael Conahan, a key figure in the infamous “kids-for-cash” scandal. Conahan was convicted of receiving kickbacks for sentencing young people to for-profit prisons. Delegate Hollis Lewis of Charleston also criticized the pardon, highlighting the impact of corruption on vulnerable populations.

While acknowledging that presidents of both parties have made questionable clemency choices, Lewis emphasized the importance of considering the nature of the crimes committed. He stated, “A pardon is an important tool to allow individuals to move on with their lives, but when it involves crimes against children, the elderly, or patterns of violence, we must think twice before granting clemency.”

The West Virginia Democratic Party also condemned Biden’s clemency for individuals like ex-Dixon, Illinois Comptroller Rita Crundwell, who embezzled $54 million, and Jimmy Dimora, a former Cleveland county commissioner involved in a pay-to-play scheme.

The state has a history of controversial presidential pardons, including former President Bill Clinton’s pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich, who was accused of tax evasion and violating sanctions. Rich’s connections to an aluminum manufacturer in West Virginia sparked outrage among union members who protested outside his office in Switzerland.

Clinton’s pardons of Rich and his business partner Pincus Green led to a federal investigation, initially led by New York prosecutor Mary Jo White and later by James Comey. The pardons stirred controversy and raised concerns about the influence of political connections on the justice system.

In conclusion, West Virginia Democrats are calling for accountability and transparency in the pardon process, urging President Biden to reconsider his recent decisions regarding executive clemency recipients. The party remains committed to upholding integrity and trust in government institutions, especially in the face of corruption and betrayal of public trust.