Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has joined the growing chorus of voices calling for New York Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon former President Trump, arguing that his conviction undermines the justice system.
Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney of New York has become the latest lawmaker to urge Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon former President Trump following his conviction last month. In a letter to Hochul, Tenney argued that the case against Trump "undermines the impartiality and credibility of our once venerable justice system and cannot be allowed to stand."
Tenney claimed that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted the case, "used a warped version of events to push the manufactured charges in The People v. Trump." She characterized Bragg's actions as "legally questionable, at worst it's criminal."
New York Governor Urged to Pardon Former President Trump
The congresswoman also pointed out that even a Democrat, Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota, had called for Trump's pardon. "Pardoning President Trump is not a partisan issue, it's an American issue that is necessary to preserve the integrity of our legal system," she wrote.
Tenney's plea joins a growing chorus of calls for Trump's pardon. Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is now running for governor of Arkansas, has also urged Hochul to grant clemency to Trump.
New York Governor Urged to Pardon Former President Trump
In a separate development, President Biden reaffirmed on Thursday that he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden, after a Delaware jury found him guilty of federal crimes. Biden also said he would not commute Hunter's sentence, which has not yet been determined.
Meanwhile, Hochul has not publicly commented on the calls for Trump's pardon. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The case against Trump stems from his alleged hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. A jury convicted Trump of a felony charge of falsifying business records in connection with the payments.
Trump and his allies have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and have vowed to appeal the conviction. They have also accused Bragg of being politically motivated.
The request for a pardon comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding Trump's future. Trump has repeatedly hinted at a potential run for the presidency in 2024, while Democrats warn that his conviction could disqualify him from holding office again.
The outcome of Hochul's decision on whether to pardon Trump remains uncertain. If she does not grant the pardon, Trump could face a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years. However, pardons are not uncommon for former presidents, and Trump may have legal recourse to challenge his conviction.
