Donald Trump’s pardon pen is getting lots of action. He pardoned controversial conservative commentator this morning and now there is talk he may pardon Martha Stewart and commute the sentence for former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

The Washington Post reports:

“D’Souza, an author and filmmaker, was indicted on charges that he illegally used straw donors to contribute to a Republican Senate candidate in New York in 2012. He was sentenced to five years of probation, including eight months living under supervision in a “community confinement center” in San Diego, and a $30,000 fine.”

Senator Ted Cruz was one of those asking Trump to pardon D’Souza.

NPR also reports:

“This is Trump’s fifth pardon. On Thursday, he told reporters that he is also considering a pardon for Martha Stewart, who served time for conspiracy and lying to federal investigators but has been free for more than a decade. Trump said she was “unfairly treated” and “used to be my biggest fan in the world.”

And the president said he was considering commuting the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was sentenced to more than a decade in prison for corruption after he tried to sell the Senate seat vacated by former President Barack Obama.

Trump said Blagojevich was put in jail “for being stupid and saying things that … many other politicians say.” He also noted that Blagojevich is a Democrat.”

Just like he has with past pardons, Trump is not following the customary pardon process this time around either.

The legal community is weighing in.

CNN’s Chris Cillizza says by pardoning D’Souza Trump is setting the stage for possible pardons down the road for Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and attorney Michael Cohen:

“The message is clear: Don’t flip, Michael. This is all a witch hunt. Hang in there! I support you!

Presidential pardons are the other major weapon in Trump’s arsenal to combat the pressure campaign by Mueller.”

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