A new CBS report is drawing outrage after sharing hidden-camera footage that appears to show self-described pardon brokers pitching a costly route to presidential clemency, raising allegations that access to President Donald Trump's pardon process may be driven not through formal paperwork, but through money, political influence, and sustained pressure.
Here's what to know
CBS News' "60 Minutes" aired a report claiming that people tied to pardon efforts were sometimes seeking extremely large payments. "We found that some brokers charge as much as $3 million," said reporter Lesley Stahl, noting one hidden-camera conversation included a $300,000 quote for a pardon push.
Several clips made the rounds on social media, including in a viral repost from NowThis Impact.
The report sets that $300,000 pitch against the regular clemency process. When a subject of the footage was asked what the standard route had cost, the answer was: "A postage stamp. Postage stamp. That's it."
The far more expensive option was described as involving access-oriented spending, including trips to Mar-a-Lago, attendance at events, and "possibly buy a $10,000 ticket to a fundraiser that the president is attending."
The recording also includes a blunt explanation of how influence would allegedly be applied: "With this particular White House, you have to put pressure on the president from all directions in a consistent way to force his hand."
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More background
The report portrays the pitch as relying on well-connected figures and a broader network of influence.
In the clip, one speaker says, "What we do is we mobilize members of Congress to call him. We use certain influencers who have regular meetings to call him. And we put him in a pincer movement."
Exposure is one of the first lines of defense against corruption. Hidden-camera reporting, public-records investigations, and sustained watchdog coverage can help bring questionable practices into the open, where voters and investigators can examine them.
NowThis Impact said that the trend has "basically created a whole new job category: pardon brokers."
Where can I learn more?
Footage and reporting can bring alleged misconduct into public view. Here are some related articles:
• A leaked training video allegedly showed Flock employees teaching police how to surveil protesters.
• After clemency, Trevor Milton stepped into an unexpected new role at a private-jet company.
• Department of Justice records show Sam Bankman-Fried filed a presidential pardon request from prison.
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