In a controversial move that continues to reverberate, former President Donald Trump’s eleventh-hour pardon of convicted drug trafficker and predatory lender, Jonathan Braun, is now exposing the deleterious impact on an extensive Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation. Braun, serving a 10-year sentence for orchestrating a large-scale marijuana smuggling ring, received clemency in the final hours of Trump’s presidency in 2021, as reported by Benzinga on Monday, November 27, 2023.
The ramifications of this pardon are becoming clearer, particularly concerning Braun’s involvement in a nationwide predatory lending scheme. The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan was actively pursuing an investigation into Braun’s connections to this illicit network, which targeted small businesses, employing violent methods to collect debts.
The New York Times disclosed that Braun, in discussions with prosecutors, was contemplating cooperation, potentially wearing a wire to expose other industry players, in exchange for a reduced sentence. However, Trump’s pardon abruptly eradicated the government’s leverage over Braun, leading to the derailment of an investigation poised to expose and prosecute numerous criminals in the predatory lending business.
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Sources indicate that the influence behind Braun’s pardon can be traced back to Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, and his father, Charles Kushner. Charles Kushner, a wealthy real estate developer who himself received a pardon for tax evasion, witness tampering, and illegal campaign contributions, had connections to the Braun family.
Jared Kushner’s office was responsible for crafting the language in the news release announcing Braun’s and other commutations. The release highlighted Braun’s charitable work and support from Orthodox Jewish leaders, diverting attention from the dubious circumstances surrounding the pardon.
Revelations from the report also shed light on the questionable pardon process under the Trump administration. Marked by a lack of vetting, transparency, and consultation with the Justice Department, the process bypassed the typical review and recommendations for clemency applications.
Former Attorney General Bill Barr had expressed concerns about Trump’s pardons, particularly those involving associates and allies. He had attempted to dissuade the former president from granting some of these pardons.
As the 2024 presidential race gains momentum, the revelations surrounding Braun’s pardon reignite scrutiny on Trump’s interventions in criminal justice matters. Questions loom about potential future actions, especially considering Trump’s hinted inclination to pardon himself and supporters implicated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot if faced with federal charges.
Meanwhile, Braun, released after the pardon, has reportedly resumed predatory lending activities, as disclosed by New York State’s attorney general. In September 2021, a court order was obtained to ban Braun from the industry, highlighting the ongoing challenges in curbing his illicit pursuits.
