I’m heading into depositions, but before I go I need to get this off my chest, because Trump’s 2025 drug-offender pardons tell a story no one’s talking about.
I don’t see how it serves any “political” interest - even the worst of the MAGA supporters surely don’t condone the drug trade. They all bought into the “I needed to bypass Congress for that national emergency of the 1 gram of fentanyl that came across the Canadian border”.
There is a large sum of money going into his, or his son’s pockets somewhere and somehow. That’s the only answer that makes sense here.
The people of principles still left at the DOJ must be sick inside at this level of corrupt action. I don’t even live in the U.S. and it makes me ill.
As emotionally and intellectually painful as it must be - please keep up speaking the truth for as many as possible to see.
I think that what we’re seeing has more to do with making a geopolitical power play in the region (strength, trade route control, natural resources…) than anything else. I’d be OK with achieving all of these through diplomacy and deals. Gaslighting Americans that this has to do with drugs is par for the course with this administration.
Thanks for investigating and reporting these important pardones from Trump. As usual, our news stations and journalists barely, if at all, covered all of these criminals dealing and trafficking drugs i our country. I think our journalists and news stations covered only the Hernandez, former President person, 400 million tons of Cocaine caught bringing into our country, a 45 year sentence I believe.
Trump is his usual hypocritical atrocious self, all I can think of is that a LOT of money or power is exchanging hands behind the scenes. He claims to be fighting a war on drugs in America, ICE chasing and imprisoning immigrants without any knowledge of their background, if they're criminals or drug dealers or not. Shameful, illegal treatment of human rights.
That said, if I were a journalist, I'd ask Trump why he is pardoned convicted drug criminals, while bombing supposed drug boats in Venezuela waters and having ICE detain mostly innocent people??? AND, I would not let him shut me up or call me names. I'd throw that shit right back at him, I would definitely NOT sit there and take his verbal abuse. AND, I would speak up and support other journalists in the room if he was abusing them. Whew!!
Question for President Trump - On one hand you assert you have a tough position against illegal drugs. On the other hand, you have pardoned quite a few lengthy sentences of already convicted drug smugglers or purveyors of illegal substances. How do you explain this apparent hypocrisy in your stated policy vs your known actions? And I would like to follow up on your attempt to provide an answer to my question because I want to learn more about the Venezuelan boat strikes you and the secretary of defense have ordered. And if we have time, perhaps we could dig into your family's involvement with the Tate Brothers and why you saw fit to spring them from a Romanian prison and fly them to Florida in the United States. Thank you.
Excellent breakdown, Mitch — and you’re absolutely right that Trump should be compelled to face direct, substantive questions on these pardons. The sheer scale and brazenness of these clemency decisions demand real accountability, not another round of evasions or finger-pointing.
If I were in that briefing room, I’d ask him point-blank: how do these pardons — particularly of figures like Juan Hernandez and Ross Ulbricht — align with any legitimate vision of justice or public safety? Because granting freedom to individuals who facilitated massive drug trafficking seems less about second chances and more about self-interest or political symbolism.
Thanks for continuing to raise the uncomfortable but necessary questions others sidestep. The public deserves clear answers — not more bluster and deflection.
OK. Back in the office (and yes, the depositions went well). I think that taken together, these pardons reveal a pattern that puts power over principle and loyalty over the rule of law. Trump’s clemency choices favor high impact drug traffickers and facilitators while thousands of lower level offenders remain imprisoned under the very tough on crime policies he continues to promote. This all about control, spectacle, and rewarding narratives that serve his personal and political interests.
As for the question I'd ask on this topic, it would be something like: “How do you justify pardoning major drug traffickers and facilitators while continuing to promote a tough on crime message that has sent thousands of lower level, nonviolent offenders to prison, and what standard, if any, are you using to decide who deserves mercy?”
After he insults me and tells me how great he is without answering my question, I'd respond with:
"I'm a tax paying American. You work for me and every other person in this room. You work for every American watching this press conference. None of us work for you. So, dumbass, answer the damn question."
I love it!! You're question to the asshole-in-chief was almost just like mine. But you definitely worded yours better. With my mouth, I may have called him a worse word than dumbass!! Lol. I started swearing in high school, my mum would always try to get me to stop bc she said I sounded like a sailor and not a young lady. In my defiant little voice, I'd reply, if boys can swear, I can too!! Lol.
One of my girlfriends at Harvard said to me one day, we were hanging out in a group of colleagues at lunchtime, I was telling a story and swearing like a champ, dropping the F bomb left and right. We were all laughing bc no one at Harvard expects a tiny fairly intelligent woman to swear that much. Susan said to me "Judy, you're the only person I know that can swear like a sailor, and come off looking like a Saint!!" Priceless quote, I'll never forget it!! Lol.
So yeah, Trump requires being called every name in the book. He does it to everyone else.
This a total dichotomy of what he says and what he does. He pardons drug dealers and executes boat people on. the high seas heading to America with drugs. His henchman Hegeth is not a good example of a soldier and certainly not a Secretary of War. Hegeth pawned off his actions to the Admiral in the fleet who was given direct orders from on high. How do we get rid of the bufoon with orange skin?
The short answer to getting rid of him is to make sure we all vote in the 2026 midterms and take back majority control of congress. From there we have oversight, subpoena and power of the purse authority.
One possible reason may be that pardoning convicted people causes their indebtedness to the leader. The action fosters loyalty as well as an obligation to repay the favor at a later time.
Just follow the money trail. Somewhere, somehow, bribes and/or other dark money exchanged hands between the Trumpies & their drug-dealing associates who've been pardoned. The blatant hypocrisy of it all, while he murders so-called drug dealers near Venezuela just again demonstrates the gangsterism of this regime. Same as it ever was...
I’m so freaking sick of hearing about the bad things he’s doing. If it’s bad, he does it. I barely read about it anymore because it just depresses me and makes me feel helpless. When’s the next protest? 🫤
I do write to my senators but one is Susan “I’m concerned” Collins and the other is Angus King whose judgement is seriously in question after his part in negotiations to reopen the government which is now going to end the subsidies for the ACA (I wrote him a very angry email)
We only have one representative in the house for district one and she’s always on the correct side of issues. I post on FB and here. I go to every big protest and am boycotting pro-Trump companies most of which I was already boycotting. I am encouraged by the most recent elections happening but I’m exhausted!
After the holidays I’ll be volunteering for Graham Platner who WILL unseat Collins.
Thanks for the link. There’s always something I can learn.
You're doing great!! I know it's exhausting and depressing, I'm doing the same things as you and still feel helpless. But let's just keep the pressure on this corrupt administration. In the end, I think our efforts will only help.
I get it. Write mine (California). Write to encourage and support those elected representatives who are trying to fix the problems. You have the right to reach out to everyone. Words of encouragement are always appreciated and will empower others to work even harder.
Mitch -
I don’t see how it serves any “political” interest - even the worst of the MAGA supporters surely don’t condone the drug trade. They all bought into the “I needed to bypass Congress for that national emergency of the 1 gram of fentanyl that came across the Canadian border”.
There is a large sum of money going into his, or his son’s pockets somewhere and somehow. That’s the only answer that makes sense here.
The people of principles still left at the DOJ must be sick inside at this level of corrupt action. I don’t even live in the U.S. and it makes me ill.
As emotionally and intellectually painful as it must be - please keep up speaking the truth for as many as possible to see.
I think that what we’re seeing has more to do with making a geopolitical power play in the region (strength, trade route control, natural resources…) than anything else. I’d be OK with achieving all of these through diplomacy and deals. Gaslighting Americans that this has to do with drugs is par for the course with this administration.
Dear Mitch,
Thanks for investigating and reporting these important pardones from Trump. As usual, our news stations and journalists barely, if at all, covered all of these criminals dealing and trafficking drugs i our country. I think our journalists and news stations covered only the Hernandez, former President person, 400 million tons of Cocaine caught bringing into our country, a 45 year sentence I believe.
Trump is his usual hypocritical atrocious self, all I can think of is that a LOT of money or power is exchanging hands behind the scenes. He claims to be fighting a war on drugs in America, ICE chasing and imprisoning immigrants without any knowledge of their background, if they're criminals or drug dealers or not. Shameful, illegal treatment of human rights.
That said, if I were a journalist, I'd ask Trump why he is pardoned convicted drug criminals, while bombing supposed drug boats in Venezuela waters and having ICE detain mostly innocent people??? AND, I would not let him shut me up or call me names. I'd throw that shit right back at him, I would definitely NOT sit there and take his verbal abuse. AND, I would speak up and support other journalists in the room if he was abusing them. Whew!!
Try to have a good day!!
☺️♥️🐾🌿🌏🐈⬛🐕💕🎄
Judy
We need to get a microphone in your hand. I like you’re style!
Hey Mitch,
You're too funny. I would do that to Trump though. Someone needs to shut his rude, arrogant ass down!! Lol
Judy
Question for President Trump - On one hand you assert you have a tough position against illegal drugs. On the other hand, you have pardoned quite a few lengthy sentences of already convicted drug smugglers or purveyors of illegal substances. How do you explain this apparent hypocrisy in your stated policy vs your known actions? And I would like to follow up on your attempt to provide an answer to my question because I want to learn more about the Venezuelan boat strikes you and the secretary of defense have ordered. And if we have time, perhaps we could dig into your family's involvement with the Tate Brothers and why you saw fit to spring them from a Romanian prison and fly them to Florida in the United States. Thank you.
Excellent breakdown, Mitch — and you’re absolutely right that Trump should be compelled to face direct, substantive questions on these pardons. The sheer scale and brazenness of these clemency decisions demand real accountability, not another round of evasions or finger-pointing.
If I were in that briefing room, I’d ask him point-blank: how do these pardons — particularly of figures like Juan Hernandez and Ross Ulbricht — align with any legitimate vision of justice or public safety? Because granting freedom to individuals who facilitated massive drug trafficking seems less about second chances and more about self-interest or political symbolism.
Thanks for continuing to raise the uncomfortable but necessary questions others sidestep. The public deserves clear answers — not more bluster and deflection.
OK. Back in the office (and yes, the depositions went well). I think that taken together, these pardons reveal a pattern that puts power over principle and loyalty over the rule of law. Trump’s clemency choices favor high impact drug traffickers and facilitators while thousands of lower level offenders remain imprisoned under the very tough on crime policies he continues to promote. This all about control, spectacle, and rewarding narratives that serve his personal and political interests.
As for the question I'd ask on this topic, it would be something like: “How do you justify pardoning major drug traffickers and facilitators while continuing to promote a tough on crime message that has sent thousands of lower level, nonviolent offenders to prison, and what standard, if any, are you using to decide who deserves mercy?”
After he insults me and tells me how great he is without answering my question, I'd respond with:
"I'm a tax paying American. You work for me and every other person in this room. You work for every American watching this press conference. None of us work for you. So, dumbass, answer the damn question."
I think this approach would go over well.
I love it!! You're question to the asshole-in-chief was almost just like mine. But you definitely worded yours better. With my mouth, I may have called him a worse word than dumbass!! Lol. I started swearing in high school, my mum would always try to get me to stop bc she said I sounded like a sailor and not a young lady. In my defiant little voice, I'd reply, if boys can swear, I can too!! Lol.
One of my girlfriends at Harvard said to me one day, we were hanging out in a group of colleagues at lunchtime, I was telling a story and swearing like a champ, dropping the F bomb left and right. We were all laughing bc no one at Harvard expects a tiny fairly intelligent woman to swear that much. Susan said to me "Judy, you're the only person I know that can swear like a sailor, and come off looking like a Saint!!" Priceless quote, I'll never forget it!! Lol.
So yeah, Trump requires being called every name in the book. He does it to everyone else.
Take care Mitch,
Judy
☺️♥️🐾🌿🌏🐈⬛🐕💕🎄
The only reason Trump brushes off accusations of hypocrisy is the fact that he can not spell the word.
This a total dichotomy of what he says and what he does. He pardons drug dealers and executes boat people on. the high seas heading to America with drugs. His henchman Hegeth is not a good example of a soldier and certainly not a Secretary of War. Hegeth pawned off his actions to the Admiral in the fleet who was given direct orders from on high. How do we get rid of the bufoon with orange skin?
The short answer to getting rid of him is to make sure we all vote in the 2026 midterms and take back majority control of congress. From there we have oversight, subpoena and power of the purse authority.
One possible reason may be that pardoning convicted people causes their indebtedness to the leader. The action fosters loyalty as well as an obligation to repay the favor at a later time.
Just follow the money trail. Somewhere, somehow, bribes and/or other dark money exchanged hands between the Trumpies & their drug-dealing associates who've been pardoned. The blatant hypocrisy of it all, while he murders so-called drug dealers near Venezuela just again demonstrates the gangsterism of this regime. Same as it ever was...
I’m so freaking sick of hearing about the bad things he’s doing. If it’s bad, he does it. I barely read about it anymore because it just depresses me and makes me feel helpless. When’s the next protest? 🫤
I do write to my senators but one is Susan “I’m concerned” Collins and the other is Angus King whose judgement is seriously in question after his part in negotiations to reopen the government which is now going to end the subsidies for the ACA (I wrote him a very angry email)
We only have one representative in the house for district one and she’s always on the correct side of issues. I post on FB and here. I go to every big protest and am boycotting pro-Trump companies most of which I was already boycotting. I am encouraged by the most recent elections happening but I’m exhausted!
After the holidays I’ll be volunteering for Graham Platner who WILL unseat Collins.
Thanks for the link. There’s always something I can learn.
Dear Jenny,
You're doing great!! I know it's exhausting and depressing, I'm doing the same things as you and still feel helpless. But let's just keep the pressure on this corrupt administration. In the end, I think our efforts will only help.
Take care, stay as strong as you already are.
☺️♥️🐾🌿🌏🐈⬛🐕💕🎄 Judy
Thanks. I won’t give up. I just have to whine about it every now and then. ❤️
Hey Jenny!!
Me too!! ☺️♥️ Judy
I get it. Write mine (California). Write to encourage and support those elected representatives who are trying to fix the problems. You have the right to reach out to everyone. Words of encouragement are always appreciated and will empower others to work even harder.
I’m with you Jenny but we need to hold his feet to the fire. Every minute of every day. Protest today by writing your elected representative (text, voice, email…) via these approaches and techniques. https://open.substack.com/pub/mitchthelawyer/p/how-to-make-your-voice-heard-the?r=2fe7t3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false