Donald Trump today pardoned former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison for conspiring with some of the most notorious drug traffickers in the world to bring more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States — despite Trump’s campaign promises to curb the flow of drugs into the U.S. 

Hernández’s presidency was riddled with corruption, including orchestrating the trafficking of millions of dollars in drugs for cartels and narco-terrorists, even accepting a $1 million bribe from El Chapo, and using drug money to manipulate elections to maintain power. He reportedly bragged about wanting to “stuff the drugs up the gringos’ noses” and was instrumental in helping traffic hundreds of tons of cocaine into the U.S. 

Trump’s White House is claiming this was an “over-prosecution” — but Emil Bove, a former member of Trump’s legal team, led the investigation into Hernandez and prosecuted Hernández’s brother during Trump’s first term in office.

In response, DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement: 

“Let’s get this straight: Donald Trump just pardoned a criminal who was convicted of working with cartels to funnel hundreds of tons of dangerous drugs into the United States. Trump is ready to abandon his campaign promises if it benefits his political allies or anyone who lavishes him with praise. Since he took office, Trump has made abundantly clear that he only cares about enriching himself and rewarding his loyalists — even at the expense of Americans and the rule of law.” 

Trump’s pledge to pardon Hernández came just hours after the former president sent Trump a flattering letter, showering him with praise and claiming that his conviction was a weaponization of justice. 

Trump has a long history of using presidential powers to help his loyalists. In August, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on products imported from Brazil because his friend Jair Bolsonaro was being prosecuted for attempting to stage a coup to remain in power.