The Year Of The Criminal

What if a mob boss had the power of the pardon? We’re finding out. It’s been quite the year to be a criminal. Not for the people labeled criminals like immigrants or trans people, but people who actually have charges, convictions even! In his first year in office of his second term, Trump has pardoned a whopping 2,000 criminals who have committed all kinds of horrible acts and are still menaces to society. We’re talking Jan 6 rioters who have abused children, killed people while driving drunk, and threatened other federal workers. Or drug dealers like former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been serving 45 years for one of the largest drug trafficking conspiracies in history.  In some form or another, every pardon Trump has issued has either allowed himself to avoid any consequences for his own crimes, been a mechanism to get rich, or a way to extort political loyalty. From pardoning his 18 fellow co-conspirators in the Georgia elections scandal from 2020, to pardoning a crypto-tycoon CZ who is now helping Eric and Don Jr.’s stablecoin, to pardoning Eric Adams in exchange for allowing ICE to run amok in New York City, there’s a sinister reason behind each one. Now, not only is Trump personally benefitting from his pardon power, but these criminals being at large puts everyone at risk. Whether it’s criminals who’ve harmed women and children, crooked CEOs who’ve defrauded investors, or big time drug dealers who have made millions off illicit drugs while individuals face time for nonviolent possession, these criminals aren’t just Trump’s criminals, but some are legit monsters. *Become a paying patron to get Francesca's exclusive behind the scenes & extra frants, now 25% off using code: HOLIDAYS* Support these deep dive episodes by becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom. You can also be a member on YouTube, Twitch, or a paid subscriber on substack: franifio.substack.com.  Get 20% off SUNSET LAKE CBD with code FRANTIFA at check out. Explore all their organic, vertically-integrated craft CBD products including tinctures, gummies, smokables, salves and more: https://www.sunsetlakecbd.com *** Tip the show: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Get your union-made TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com *** Thanks to Brent Godin, Paige Oamek, & Andy Vasoyan   *** Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bitchuationroom.bsky.social Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast on: iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Google Music: http://bit.ly/GoogleBitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Find Francesca On:  Substack: franifio.substack.com  Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio  YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/