Story perspectives

Schiff Leads Dem Bill to Limit Presidential Pardons of Prosecutors

5/6/2026

Summary

Schiff Limits Pardons

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced Democrats will draft legislation to curb a president’s ability to pardon prosecutors in corrupt cases.
He urged codifying DOJ guidelines that block malicious prosecutions and proposed barring the Justice Department from filing charges solely on a president’s order.
He cited former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s failure to pursue unsupported prosecutions and Attorney General Merrick Blanche’s intensified prosecutions of President Donald Trump’s allies.

Summary

Democrats Propose Reforms

The Pulitzer Prizes were announced, honoring the Washington Post’s DOGE coverage and New York Times reporting on President Donald Trump enriching himself.
The article imagines Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche prosecuting former FBI Director James Comey because President Donald Trump ordered it.
Democrats say proposed Department of Justice reforms would “fascism-proof” the system against authoritarian presidents.
A Met gathering listed Jeff Bezos as chair, sparking remarks about his political role.

Summary

Blanche Defends Indictment

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended former FBI Director James Comey’s indictment, saying it involved more than an Instagram seashell photo.
Legal analysts argue the indictment targets speech protected by the First Amendment.
A federal judge’s question about the case’s origins was allegedly met with a DOJ lawyer’s refusal after Blanche’s office instruction.
Critics cite 18 U.S.C. § 242, arguing Blanche’s actions could constitute willful deprivation of constitutional rights.

Summary

Trump Pardons

President Donald Trump is expected to issue blanket pardons to aides, which cannot block state criminal charges, civil suits, or discipline.
John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani were disbarred, proving state bars can revoke licenses despite any federal pardon.
The Justice Department aims to curb state bar ethics probes of DOJ lawyers, prompting critics to warn that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche may be likened to John Mitchell if oversight stops.

History

Historical Context

Watergate’s June 1972 break-in sparked a Senate probe that forced President Richard Nixon to resign on August 9 1974; Gerald Ford’s September 8 pardon, after 48 officials were convicted, led to the 1978 Ethics in Government Act. Now Senator Adam Schiff, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Acting AG Todd Blanche are drafting legislation to curb future pardon abuse.

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Schiff Limits Pardons

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced Democrats will draft legislation to curb a president’s ability to pardon prosecutors in corrupt cases.
He urged codifying DOJ guidelines that block malicious prosecutions and proposed barring the Justice Department from filing charges solely on a president’s order.
He cited former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s failure to pursue unsupported prosecutions and Attorney General Merrick Blanche’s intensified prosecutions of President Donald Trump’s allies.

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