John, Join us in standing up for second chances! Urge the DOJ to protect the sanctity of the presidential power to grant clemency.
What You Need to Know: In 2020, Philip Esformes was given a second chance when then President Trump granted him clemency, giving Philip an opportunity to right his wrongs outside prison walls. The president cited gross prosecutorial misconduct, good behavior, and Esformes’ declining health as reasons.
Here’s the problem: Despite this, the current administration wants to throw him back behind bars, an unheard-of act that breaks decades of respect for the sanctity of presidential clemency.
Go deeper: The DOJ’s dubious plan to retry Philip Esformes will set a dangerous precedent for others. Future Republican administrations might find ways to vengefully persecute people who had received clemency under a Democratic administration. This would weaken the significance of the president's constitutional power to grant clemency.
Here are the facts:
- There's no sugarcoating it: Esformes was accused of significant financial crimes, and under Trump’s clemency order is still required to pay significant fines.
- However, clemency, pardon, and commutation powers are granted to the President in our Constitution.
- Once granted clemency, recipients are allowed to reenter society with a new lease on life.
- A new administration prosecuting a previous president’s clemency recipient is virtually unprecedented and poses a danger to the entire power of presidential clemency.
If the Biden administration succeeds in re-prosecuting Esformes, no person who receives a pardon or commutation will ever truly be safe from the threat of additional, retaliatory punishment at the hands of a new president.
Sign to Protect Second Chances
What You Can Do: Sign the petition to urge the DOJ to drop its prosecution of Esformes, protect the sanctity of the presidential power to grant clemency, and the gift of a second chance. Allow Philip Esformes to continue his post-prison life with his family and service to the community. We cannot allow our politicians to play politics with clemency.
In solidarity,
— The Dream.Org Team
