The Al Franken Podcast Rep. Madeleine Dean on POTUS Pardon Corruption
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Mar 29, 2026 Madeleine Dean, a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania and former impeachment manager, discusses curbing presidential pardon power after blatant corrupt pardons. She critiques blanket January 6th pardons. They explore pay-for-pardons, high-profile clemencies, links between pardons and foreign policy grift, and ICE mistreatment including conditions at the Dilley detention center.
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Pardon Power Weaponized For Grift
- The presidential pardon power is being weaponized for personal and political gain rather than mercy.
- Rep. Madeleine Dean cites the blanket January 6 pardons and pardons for major donors like Trevor Milton as examples of corrupt use that erases victims' restitution.
Stolen Documents Insider Trading And Grift
- Multiple corruption threads connect: stolen classified documents, insider trading around Iran policy, and pardons benefiting allies.
- Norm Ornstein frames these as part of a broader 'grift' ecosystem enriching the president and cronies.
Being In The Gallery During January 6
- Rep. Madeleine Dean describes being in the House gallery during January 6 when doors were pounded and a shot was fired.
- She recalls commands to sit, prepare to lie down, find gas masks, and fearing for their lives for 187 minutes.