What the Mass. congressional delegation is saying about Trump commuting Roger Stone’s sentence
“It is clear that this president continues to believe that he and his criminal friends who lie to Congress are above the law.”
Members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation are blasting President Donald Trump for using the power of his office on Friday to commute the sentence of his longtime friend Roger Stone.
Stone was set to report to prison on Tuesday to begin serving his 40-month sentence for lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstructing the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election. The move doesn’t change Stone’s felony convictions, but protects him from serving his sentences for the crimes for which he was convicted.
Current and former Massachusetts politicians are roundly condemning the action by Trump. Former Bay State governor and current senator for Utah Mitt Romney called the action “unprecedented, historic corruption.”
Unprecedented, historic corruption: an American president commutes the sentence of a person convicted by a jury of lying to shield that very president.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 11, 2020
Below, how current members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation are reacting to the president intervening in the case.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Donald Trump has abandoned the rule of law and made a mockery of our democracy. He truly is the most corrupt president in history. https://t.co/GA7apdmd3Y
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 11, 2020
Sen. Ed Markey
Donald Trump is the most corrupt president in the history of our country. He is a criminal who pardons his criminal friends and co-conspirators. We will not have justice until Trump and his accomplices are held accountable.
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) July 11, 2020
Rep. Richard Neal
I condemn President Trump’s decision tonight to commute Roger Stone’s multiple felony convictions in the strongest possible terms. It is clear that this president continues to believe that he and his criminal friends who lie to Congress are above the law. https://t.co/Na4HRlQKbj
— Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) July 11, 2020
Rep. Jim McGovern
Roger Stone’s sentence was commuted IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SILENCE about the crimes of Trump & those close to him.
He is the MOST CORRUPT PRESIDENT EVER, not just in recent history but in the HISTORY of our country. https://t.co/t3hHdN9YRh
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) July 11, 2020
Why would you need to lie under oath to protect someone if they are innocent? #RogerStone
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) July 11, 2020
Rep. Lori Trahan
The President has shamelessly proven once again that as long as you are loyal to him, you get to play by a different set of rules than the rest of us.
Our justice system can’t take four more years of this kind of abuse of power. https://t.co/Ov16NadSAJ
— Congresswoman Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) July 11, 2020
Rep. Joe Kennedy III
This is the behavior of dictators and mobsters.
Donald Trump made his choice.
Now the GOP gets to make theirs.
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) July 11, 2020
This is a real press release from the desk of the President of the United States of America.
They are defending and exonerating Roger Stone — a criminal who worked with Russia to undermine our Democracy. pic.twitter.com/o4VkvDkFc1
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) July 11, 2020
Trumps definition of justice is that he is above the law, and if you lie on his behalf — you will be protected.
It’s dangerous, it’s autocratic, and he must be stopped. pic.twitter.com/jLyjGbe3AU
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) July 11, 2020
Rep. Katherine Clark
Donald Trump has no respect for the justice system or the rule of law. He has proven once again that he only cares about himself and those who pledge allegiance to him.
His narcissism is threatening everything most sacred in our democracy.
— Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) July 11, 2020
Rep. Ayanna Pressley
During this public health crisis, the Occupant of the White House should be commuting sentences for the most vulnerable people behind the wall.
Instead, he does this.
We can’t have one legal system for the powerful & one for everyone else.
The corruption is the point. https://t.co/VARDD3YVCW
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) July 11, 2020
In March, I sent a letter to The Occupant of the @WhiteHouse demanding he grant clemency to save the lives of our most medically vulnerable incarcerated men and women.
He’s ignored it but found time to commute the sentence of his corrupt associate.
Despicable.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) July 11, 2020
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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