Expressing Concern over Possible Pardon Power Abuse
Dear Friend,
This week, I went on Wolf Blitzer's CNN program to talk about my concern that the President is abusing his pardon power to send a message to those caught up in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in our elections. I also introduced amendments to three appropriations bills the House is expected to consider next week to prohibit federal spending at Trump-owned businesses, celebrated as former Memphian Ira Lipman received an international humanitarian award, praised my colleague from South Carolina for clarifying why FBI informants are not spies, paid tribute on Memorial Day to a fallen FBI agent and to others in law enforcement and the military for their sacrifices and offered some healthful barbecuing tips. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Expressing Concern over Possible Pardon Power Abuse
Introducing Amendments to Prohibit Federal Spending at Trump-owned Businesses
Celebrating Ira A. Lipman, Simon Wiesenthal Center's Humanitarian Award Winner
Praising My Friend and Colleague Trey Gowdy for Clarifying Role of Informants
Remembering True Heroes on Memorial Day
Signing Up for "Congress On Your Corner" and this e-Newsletter
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Expressing Concern over Possible Pardon Power Abuse
On Thursday, while in New York, I went on CNN's Wolf Blitzer show hours after the President announced his pardon of Dinesh D'Souza, the firebrand conservative documentary film maker who pleaded guilty to campaign finance law violations in 2014. The President's pardon of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff Scooter Libby, and speculation he might pardon former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who tried to sell a Senate seat, and fashion maven Martha Stewart, convicted of lying to investigators about stock sales, raise concerns about the message Trump is sending to those under investigation or already indicted in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe. I told Wolf that, although the President's pardon power is nearly absolute, it can be checked by impeachment, as one of the Founding Fathers, James Madison, said during the debate over the Constitution. As many of my constituents already know, I introduced H. Con. Res. 621, Articles of Impeachment, and believe public sentiment for that remedy will grow if it becomes clear the President is abusing his pardon power. See the full interview here.
Introducing Amendments to Prohibit Federal Spending at Trump-owned Businesses
Pictured: Congressman Cohen's 6 Amendments to Prohibit Federal Spending at Trump-Owned Businesses
On Wednesday, I filed amendments to three annual spending bills that would prohibit federal spending at Trump-owned businesses, including hotels and resorts like Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. The Constitution already forbids a President from profiting financially from his office but press accounts have documented Trump's repeated violations. The amendments I propose, which I hope will be considered next week, are an effort to end his continuing conflicts of interest.
Celebrating Ira A. Lipman, Simon Wiesenthal Humanitarian Award Winner
On Tuesday night in New York, I attended a dinner at which The Simon Wiesenthal Center bestowed its highest honor, the Humanitarian Award, on former Memphian, Guardsmark founder, philanthropist and my friend Ira Lipman. Lipman was 16-year-old student when President Eisenhower ordered the integration of Little Rock Central High School and worked as a news source for the local newspaper and later for NBC correspondent John Chancellor during the ensuing crisis. His name now adorns the Ira A. Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights at Columbia University and its director, Jelani Cobb, was among those on hand at The Pierre Hotel on Tuesday night, as were his wife Barbara and their three sons. Also honored at the dinner was former Memphian Margot Stern Strom, a schoolteacher who founded Facing History and Ourselves in 1980, who received the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Medal of Valor. It was an evening celebrating tolerance, making room for diversity and standing up to bigotry and I was pleased to be a part of it.
Praising My Friend and Colleague Trey Gowdy for Clarifying Role of Informants
I've served for years on the Judiciary Committee with Representative Trey Gowdy of South Carolina and have always considered my colleague across the aisle a friend. I was disturbed at the wastefulness, length and viciousness of the Benghazi Committee investigation he chaired, but I have typically found him honest, able and smart. Those qualities are especially evident these days as he stands up to the President's claim that the FBI put a "spy" in his 2016 campaign and has made it clear the charge is baloney. I have the sense that Gowdy's decision not to seek re-election may have stiffened his resolve to call oversight hearings on abuses at the EPA run by Scott Pruitt. I'm seeing a similar conscientiousness from other members who are retiring and who seem to find that ending all association with this President sets them free. I'll miss Gowdy's service and wish him well.
Remembering True Heroes on Memorial Day
On Monday, I commemorated Memorial Day by noting the passing days earlier of Atlanta FBI Field Office Special Agent in Charge David J. LeValley, who died in the line of duty years after exposure to contaminants at the site of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks while serving as a special agent in New York. The work of the FBI and law enforcement generally is a bulwark of our freedoms and the President's attacks on these critical institutions is disheartening especially since they come from a man who claimed, falsely, that he saw "thousands and thousands" in New Jersey celebrating the downed towers and claimed, with no discernable evidence, to have contributed to 9/11-related charities. I salute all those in law enforcement and the military who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
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Weekly Health Tip
Each week, I share a health tip in the hope of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9thCongressional District. As always, it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
With barbecue season now officially in full swing after Monday's holiday, it's worth taking a moment to review some basic barbecue safety tips – like marinating food in the refrigerator, not on a kitchen counter -- brought to you by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. See them here.
Quote of the Week
"If the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds to believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him; they can remove him if found guilty; they can suspend him when suspected, and the power will devolve on the Vice-President…This is a great security." – James Madison on the presidential pardon power during Virginia's debate on ratification of the U.S. Constitution, June 18, 1788.
As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress