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Senator Lindsey Graham expressed strong disapproval of President Donald Trump’s recent pardons during his appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” suggesting that congressional action might be necessary to limit presidential pardon powers.
When confronted by host Dana Bash about Trump’s pardons and commutations for individuals convicted of assaulting police officers during the January 6th Capitol attack, Graham was unequivocal in his criticism.
Senator Graham calls Trump's decision to pardon January 6th protestors a "mistake."
Iβm one of those J6 Prisoners who received a pardon and Lindsey is a RINO POS.
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) January 26, 2025
“No. I’ve always said that I think when you pardon people who attack police officers, you’re sending the wrong signal to the public at large. And it’s not what you want to do to protect cops but he has that power,” Graham stated. “Biden pardoned the guy that shot two FBI agents in South Dakota. The FBI was all upset about that. He pardoned half his family when he said he wouldn’t. President Trump at least said, I’m going to do this. I don’t like this. I don’t like it on either side. I think the public doesn’t like it either. So if this continues, if this is the norm, there may be an effort to rein in the pardon power of the president as an institution.”
Nearly all MAGA folks on X would support a primary challenge of Lindsey Graham by Nancy Mace, I'm one of them, are you? π
pic.twitter.com/GCdsf5KS85 pic.twitter.com/hCqhtWCDxI
— @Chicago1Ray πΊπΈ (@Chicago1Ray) January 26, 2025
The South Carolina senator’s comments highlight growing concerns about the use of presidential pardons and their potential impact on law enforcement support. His criticism extended to both Trump and Biden’s use of pardon powers, suggesting a bipartisan issue that may require institutional reform.