President Donald Trump is planning to pardon Wanda Vazquez Garced, the former governor of Puerto Rico, according to White House confirmations to multiple United States media outlets. The announcement follows a report by CBS News on Friday that a pardon was expected.
Trump administration officials have connected the forthcoming pardon to the president's ongoing criticism of what he describes as "lawfare." One Trump official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, characterized the case against Vazquez as "political persecution."
Vazquez, who served as governor from 2019 to 2021, faced charges related to an alleged bribery scheme during her 2020 campaign. She was accused of conspiring to commit bribery in exchange for campaign funding. While she maintained her innocence, she later entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. The details of that agreement have not been publicly disclosed.
The planned pardon is the latest in a series of pardons granted by Trump since his return to office, many of which have benefited right-wing figures and political allies. Recently, Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been convicted of corruption.
The move has already drawn criticism from some quarters, with opponents arguing that it undermines the rule of law and sends a message that political allies are above accountability. Supporters, however, contend that Vazquez was unfairly targeted and that the pardon is a justified act of clemency.
The timing of the pardon remains unclear, but it is expected to be finalized in the coming days. The White House has not yet released an official statement regarding the matter. The pardon would effectively nullify any potential legal consequences stemming from the plea agreement.
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