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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) expressed what she expected to hear from President-elect Donald Trump with regard to considering a pardon.

(Video: Governor Kathy Hochul)

While the incoming leader of the free world had seen his federal cases eroding as the case in Georgia had been upended by the disqualification of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the New York conviction of 34 felony counts lingered on over falsified business records.

During a press conference Wednesday, Hochul was asked if she’d consider pardoning the president-elect in light of Judge Juan Merchan’s continued refusal to dismiss the hush money case.

To that, the governor responded, “There is a pardoning process in the state of New York. It is lengthy. It requires a couple of elements.

“One is remorse,” she said earning laughter from the gathered press.

Hochul went on to add after a shrug as the reporter brought up the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity, “No one will be treated any better, or any worse, by me when I make those life-altering decisions as we’re looking at petitions that are coming in throughout the year. So, no one gets extra favors, no one gets treated worse.”

She further asserted that she would not “pre-judge” Trump just days before she announced clemency for 22 people that included one commutation and 21 pardons, bring her total to 94 individuals granted clemency.

“Upon taking office, I implemented a series of reforms to bring additional transparency and accountability to the clemency process. I will continue working with law enforcement, victims’ rights groups, prosecutors, reform advocates and all stakeholders to ensure this process is operationalized responsibly,” the governor’s statement read.

While there was no mention of “remorse” in the application requirements, applicants were expected to address, among other matters, rehabilitation since their conviction by showing “that they have made positive changes to their lives…and that they are contributing members of their communities.”

This can be accomplished through examples in “employment, education, or through family or community service.”

While sentencing had been delayed following Trump’s Election Night victory, Judge Juan Merchan had responded to the defense’s attempt to see the conviction dismissed with disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity.

“This Court concludes that if error occurred regarding the introduction of the challenged evidence, such error was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilty,” wrote Merchan. “Even if this Court did find that the disputed evidence constitutes official acts under the auspices of the Trump decision, which it does not, Defendant’s motion is still denied as introduction of the disputed evidence constitutes harmless error and no mode of proceedings error has taken place.”

As President Joe Biden had remained quiet on matters of clemency for Trump after issuing a blanket pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, other Democrats had encouraged a pardon for the GOP leader even before he’d won a second term in the White House.

Along with Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman encouraging it, former Democratic presidential candidate and outgoing Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips had said at the end of May, “Donald Trump is a serial liar, cheater, and philanderer, a six-time declarer of corporate bankruptcy, an instigator of insurrection, and a convicted felon who thrives on portraying himself as a victim. @GovKathyHochul should pardon him for the good of the country.”

Kevin Haggerty
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