Episode Details

Pardon Conspiracy

Published 1 month, 1 week ago

Pardons & Clemency for Service MembersTrump intervened in multiple high-profile cases:

Clint Lorance — convicted of murdering unarmed Afghans
Mathew Golsteyn — charged with killing a detainee
Edward Gallagher (Navy SEAL) — accused of shooting civilians and killing a captive
Undermining Military JusticeThe issue wasn't just the pardons—it was the profound message they sent. Military law experts warned it severely undermined:
- Strict rules of engagement
- The Uniform Code of Military Justice
- Accountability during wartime
"Critics argued it signaled that certain war crimes would be forgiven if politically convenient. That’s where the 'war crime conspiracy' language began to emerge."