Congressional Democrats target Trump’s “pardon industrial complex”

November 11, 2026 / 12:36 PM EST / CBS News

House Democrats who lead the "End Corruption Caucus" have introduced legislation seeking to rein in what has been called the "pardon economy" that has flourished during President Trump's second term, according to lawmakers and a copy of the bill.

On Wednesday, Reps. Mike Levin and Jason Crow unveiled the Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act — a measure aimed at acts of clemency that raise possible conflicts of interest or could involve favors for the president's allies and donors.

America has "a pardon industrial complex" where "you literally, for the highest dollar amount, can go and buy a pardon," Levin said in an exclusive interview with CBS News this week.

"That is not how the Founders intended for this to work," said Levin, a California Democrat. "The pardon power is intended to be used in cases of justice and mercy."

The bill stands almost no chance of surviving Mr. Trump's veto pen, yet it offers an early look at how Democrats, fresh off sweeping midterm wins, may use their new majorities to scrutinize Mr. Trump's freewheeling use of the pardon power. A CBS News investigation found wealthy defendants have hired…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/