Trump Pardons Oligarch, US 'Decency' Remains Intact
Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former strongman leader of Honduras, convicted on drug trafficking charges, has been gifted a 'full and complete' pardon by Donald Trump. Al Jazeera frames this as a presidential decision, with Trump allegedly calling Hernandez's treatment 'harsh.' What's conveniently obscured? Hernandez's rise to power was solidified by the 2009 coup in Honduras, which the Obama-Biden
administration, led by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, effectively legitimized, paving the way for years of US-backed, right-wing rule. This is not just Trump's whim; it's a bipartisan tradition of supporting 'friendly' dictators, regardless of their corruption or brutality. One might wonder if the 'harshness' Trump refers to is the inconvenience of a conviction for a man instrumental in
maintaining US regional influence, rather than a genuine concern for justice. The historical pattern is clear: US policy often prioritizes 'stability' (read: compliant regimes) over democratic principles or human rights, then acts surprised when their allies turn out to be criminals. How many more 'full and complete' pardons will it take before we question whose 'justice' is truly being served?