President Trump had pledged to drain the swamp, but late term pardons may have thrown a lifeline to five certified swamp dwellers. The president has now pardoned former Representatives Randy “Duke” Cunningham, Chris Collins, Duncan Hunter Jr., Rick Renzi and Steve Stockman, all of whom were convicted of corruption-related crimes. In doing so, he has ensured that two of them will be eligible for a taxpayer-funded pension despite reforms intended to cut off such payments to convicted former members.
Read the full story here.