A recently pardoned individual has issued a sharp rebuke to those who publicly criticized the President, only to later seek executive clemency for themselves or their associates.
The comments were made during a public appearance where the individual discussed their release from prison. They recounted seeing a public appeal from a group of political opponents asking the President for help with a pardon.
“My response was simple,” the individual stated. “I asked, ‘Who did you vote for?’ Don’t start coming and begging for a pardon now after you spent all that time running him into the ground.”
The individual, who served a portion of a multi-year sentence before receiving a presidential pardon, clarified their stance on the justice system. “I believe in prison for those who commit crimes,” they said. “But we also incarcerate more people than any other nation, and that is a fact worth examining.”
The pardon was granted late last month. In a personal communication about the decision, the President called the original situation “a terrible thing,” but expressed hope that it could be resolved quickly to secure the couple’s freedom. He added that, based on what he had heard, they had received unduly harsh treatment and praised their family.
Upon release, the pardoned individual held a public gathering, continuing to assert their innocence despite the legal resolution. “Even with this pardon, I was convicted of something I did not do,” they told attendees. “This could happen to anyone.”
When questioned about regret, the individual was firm, stating they would only feel remorse if they had actually committed a crime. They expressed profound gratitude for their family’s support throughout the ordeal, specifically commending a family member for leading a lengthy and determined effort to secure their release.
The couple at the center of the case had faced a series of serious financial charges for several years, maintaining their innocence from the initial indictment through to the pardon.
