Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), who briefly mounted a primary challenge to President Joe Biden, said that former President Donald Trump should be pardoned of his felony conviction for the good of the country. Phillips’ comments came as former New York Gov. David Paterson (D) said that if it was possible for Biden to pardon Trump (which he cannot), he should.
“Donald Trump is a serial liar, cheater and philanderer, a six-time declarer of corporate bankruptcy, an instigator of insurrection and a convicted felon who thrives on portraying himself as a victim,” Phillips wrote on social media.
However, he wrote in the same post that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul should “pardon him for the good of the country.”
Donald Trump is a serial liar, cheater, and philanderer, a six-time declarer of corporate bankruptcy, an instigator of insurrection, and a convicted felon who thrives on portraying himself as a victim.@GovKathyHochul should pardon him for the good of the country.
— Dean Phillips (@deanbphillips) June 1, 2024
However, in a statement after the verdict, the governor said that the decision “reaffirms that no one is above the law.”
“We are committed to protecting the safety of all New Yorkers and the integrity of our judicial system,” the governor said in a press statement.
Paterson’s comments appeared to back Trump’s earlier assertion that the case against him was “rigged.”
“All of it, when it adds up, really looks very much like what the former president describes it as,” said Paterson. On Friday the former president called the trial “rigged.”
The former governor also said that there were “erroneous qualities” in the trial.
He cited the role of former Biden administration Department of Justice (DOJ) official Matthew Colangelo. Colangelo left his position in Washington to join the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D). Bragg’s office led the prosecution of the former president and the felony verdict.
Paterson said that Biden could not pardon Trump because the conviction was in a state court, but that if he could, he should. The former governor compared it to former President Gerald Ford pardoning former President Richard Nixon in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal and Nixon’s resignation.
Sometimes when you’re a leader and you’re willing to put yourself at the center of acrimony and controversy, both sides may come down on you,” said Paterson.
“But years later, upon reflection, I’m sure they’ll respect you,” he added.“But years later, upon reflection, I’m sure they’ll respect you.”
