Donald Trump believes in clemency and mercy. But only for his friends and family | Jill Filipovic

Many expect the president will issue a flurry of pardons in the coming weeks, even as he lets others be executed

Given that Donald Trump treats the office of the presidency like a personal branding tool, and deals with adversity like a two-bit mafioso, this moment was perhaps predictable: the president is reportedly considering pre-emptively pardoning three of his children, his son-in-law, and associates including Rudy Giuliani. He has already pardoned or commuted the sentences of several of his friends and associates, which should raise some eyebrows - why do so many people who surround this president wind up charged with a crime, in jail, or bracing themselves for criminal charges? And why is the supposedly law-and-order pro-life" Republican party shrugging as this president excuses the criminality of his kin and his cronies while he refuses to intervene to save anyone from execution - and in fact, is using what little time he has left in office to reinstate barbaric practices like death by firing squad?

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