I prosecuted Duke Cunningham and Duncan Hunter. Trump's pardons of them are shameful.
In the waning days of his presidency, Donald Trump reminded us that he has always been, and always will be, only about what this country can do for him. His final act of narcissism consisted of a slew of odious political pardons, a number of which were indirectly tied to the jurors in his upcoming impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate. Two of the most shameful pardons were for disgraced former congressmen Randy “Duke” Cunningham and Duncan D. Hunter.
I ought to know: I prosecuted both men.
Randy “Duke” Cunningham was a celebrity: the most famous naval pilot since World War II, the only Navy ace during the Vietnam War, a TOPGUN instructor and a recipient of the Navy Cross. Cunningham’s campaign for Congress, however, was based not on celebrity, but integrity. He claimed to be a law-and-order candidate who would be free from scandal. But when it came to ethics, Cunningham proved to be more of a loose cannon than a top gun.
In a chilling harbinger of today’s most irresponsible political rhetoric, Cunningham suggested after being elected that the Democratic House leadership should be “lined up and shot.” He also repeatedly stuck his foot in his mouth, made obscene gestures and disparaged gay people on the floor of the House. The parallels between Duke and Donald are striking.
Everyone from Putin to the Saudi royal family to disgraced former Congressman Newt Gingrich cracked Trump’s code long ago: MAGA really meant Make America Grovel Again — at the feet of a Trump monarchy. So they kissed his ring with praise, money and political support — and Trump returned these favors.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/community-voices-project/story/2021-02-02/opinion-i-prosecuted-duke-cunningham-and-duncan-hunter-trumps-pardons-of-them-are-shameful
