During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Marc Short, former Chief of Staff for Vice President Mike Pence, criticized the pardons granted by former President Donald Trump in the final hours of his administration.

Short referred to the pardons as one of the most objectionable aspects of the end of Trump’s presidency. He specifically mentioned that pardons were given to individuals involved in cocaine trafficking, as well as family members and those guilty of violent crimes.

Short emphasized the need for a serious discussion about the power of presidential pardons, expressing his belief that Trump’s pardon record was indefensible. On his last day in office, January 20, 2021, Trump issued 73 pardons and 70 sentence commutations, which included figures like former White House adviser Steve Bannon, and rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black.

Among the 70 individuals who had their sentences commuted, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who was serving a nearly 30-year sentence on corruption charges, was included.

Marc Short’s remarks were made on the same day that Mike Pence, the former Vice President, defended Donald Trump’s right to a fair trial but evaded inquiries regarding Trump’s potential conviction if the allegations against him are substantiated.

During a comprehensive interview with host Chuck Todd on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Mike Pence was asked about Donald Trump’s indictment and his appearance at a federal courthouse in Miami. However, Pence skillfully avoided directly addressing Todd’s questions, leading to a discussion that circled around the topic without providing concrete answers.

Source: with agencies