President Donald Trump has not dismissed the possibility of pardoning or commuting the sentence of former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, according to a White House official and multiple sources familiar with the discussions. However, despite persistent efforts by Menendez’s allies, the likelihood of clemency being granted before his scheduled prison reporting date next month is considered small.
Following Menendez’s conviction on bribery and corruption charges and subsequent 11-year prison sentence, his supporters have reportedly made numerous appeals to the White House since President Trump assumed office, seeking either a full pardon or a commutation of his sentence.
Sources familiar with these efforts indicate that after some initial outreach, certain allies of Menendez became pessimistic about the chances of President Trump granting clemency to the New Jersey Democrat. Despite this sentiment, a White House official maintains that President Trump has not yet made a final decision on the matter.
Earlier this year, Menendez reportedly reached out to Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, former Senate colleague, and a known ally of President Trump, to request his assistance in securing a pardon or sentence commutation. Graham and Menendez have maintained a close relationship for a long time, with Graham notably standing by Menendez during his first federal corruption indictment a decade ago. However, Senator Graham has reportedly declined to become involved in the current clemency efforts.
In a further attempt to gain favor with President Trump, Menendez has also sought to leverage his long-standing connections with Jewish leaders in New York and New Jersey. As a vocal advocate for Israel during his time in the Senate, Menendez has reportedly attempted to utilize his ties to prominent Jewish groups and key stakeholders, as previously reported by NBC News.
Additionally, Menendez is said to have reached out to the family of President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, hoping to enlist their support in securing a pardon. However, according to one source familiar with the attempt, this effort was unsuccessful.
The fact that President Trump has not explicitly ruled out clemency for Senator Menendez suggests a degree of consideration. However, the perceived low probability among those close to the situation indicates that a pardon or commutation before his scheduled prison reporting date remains a long shot. This case underscores the complexities and often politically charged nature of presidential pardon considerations.
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