Conservative commentator Jonah Goldberg has proposed a way to strip President Donald Trump of one of his coveted constitutional powers, which he has been accused of abusing.
Jonah Goldberg, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, argued that the Senate should be given the ability to block presidential pardons. He wrote that Trump’s use of clemency has exposed a dangerous weakness in the system, particularly as some right-wing activists are reportedly pushing the White House to issue sweeping pardons for junior administration officials.
In a new column, Goldberg says that the president’s pardon authority has become too powerful to remain unchecked and believes that impeachment is no longer an effective option.
“For starters, we must amend the pardon power,” Goldberg wrote.
He argued that impeachment no longer serves as a realistic check on presidential misconduct, and that the pardon power was too disruptive to the constitutional system to remain in the hands of one person.
He calls for a constitutional amendment which will allow the Senate to veto presidential pardons.
Goldberg believes the move “would be a sufficient check” on the president’s authority.
The proposal would not abolish the president’s ability to grant clemency. Instead, it would give the Senate a mechanism to block those decisions, a change that would require amending the Constitution.
Goldberg argued that some Trump pardons had been bought or granted in exchange for political services. He also pointed to reports that conservative organizations are seeking blanket pardons covering officials involved in deportations, war, or trade. He describes the need for change as urgent.
Goldberg’s argument comes ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, when Democrats hope to regain control of the House and possibly pursue impeachment proceedings against Trump for the third time.
But the conservative writer doesn’t believe impeaching Trump a third time would accomplish anything after the Senate declined to convict Trump in his previous two trials.
“Hyperpartisanship has nullified the impeachment power,” Goldberg wrote, arguing that even strong evidence of misconduct might not persuade enough Republican senators to remove the president.
He believes Democrats should explore legislative safeguards and constitutional changes that could prevent future presidents from exploiting the precedents Trump has set.
Goldberg also proposed penalties or protections against using federal funds, including disaster relief, to reward political allies or punish opponents.
He concludes by offering a reason why both parties may want to put a guardrail on presidential pardon powers: “First, many Republicans are rightly terrified of a future Democrat borrowing from Trump’s playbook. Second, because even though they are equally terrified of saying so publicly, they are appalled by what Trump is doing.”