RFK Jr., Zeldin pressed by Democrats on possible roles in Trump pardons

Democratic lawmakers have sent letters to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, demanding a detailed explanation by October 20th regarding any potential involvement in President Trump's recent pardons. The two Democrats who penned the letters, Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Peter Welch of Vermont, along with Reps. Dave Min of California and Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania, are seeking answers to ensure the pardon process remains free from undue influence.

The pressure on Kennedy and Zeldin stems from questions surrounding Trump's pardons of Trevor Milton, an entrepreneur convicted of misleading investors about his electric truck company, and Troy Lake, a Colorado diesel mechanic found guilty of violating the Clean Air Act. The letters emphasize that lawmakers aim to understand the extent to which influence and access have superseded standard pardon review procedures.

The Democrats' investigation into Trump's pardons has been fueled by a recent CBS News expose on the burgeoning "pardon economy" and the role of "pardon brokers," who reportedly offer to sway the president for significant fees. While a source close to Kennedy stated they have privately heard him deny any advocacy for Milton's pardon, the EPA has pushed back on any implication that Zeldin played a role in Lake's pardon, emphasizing that it was a straightforward request that followed proper protocol.