In a controversial move that continues his pattern of granting clemency to political allies, former President Donald Trump has pardoned former Tennessee state House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, for federal public corruption convictions.
The Scheme and Convictions
The case centred on a scheme to win taxpayer-funded mail business from lawmakers after both men had been driven from their leadership roles. According to federal prosecutors, Cothren launched a company called Phoenix Solutions with the knowledge and support of Casada and then-Representative Robin Smith.
The trio claimed the company was run by a fictitious individual named "Matthew Phoenix," whose signature even appeared on an IRS tax document. Prosecutors revealed that Casada's then-girlfriend portrayed a purported associate of this non-existent person.
Through this arrangement, companies controlled by Casada and Smith received approximately $52,000 in taxpayer money in 2020 from a mailer programme for legislators.
Background of Scandal and Resignation
This mail scheme followed Casada's earlier fall from grace. He resigned as speaker in 2019 after a no-confidence vote by fellow Republicans amid multiple scandals. These included revelations that he had exchanged sexually explicit text messages about women with Cothren years earlier.
Cothren also left his post over those texts and the discovery of racist messages, coupled with his admission that he had used cocaine inside a legislative office building during a previous job.
In September, Casada was sentenced to three years in prison, while Cothren received a two-and-a-half-year prison term for their roles in the corruption scheme.
White House Justification and Broader Pattern
A White House official defended the pardons, claiming the Biden administration's justice department had "significantly over-prosecuted these individuals for a minor issue." The official, speaking on background, argued the case involved constituent mailers billed at competitive prices and noted prosecutors had not received complaints from legislators.
The official further stated the scheme resulted in a net profit loss of less than $5,000, yet featured an armed raid, perp walk, and potential for lengthy prison terms typically reserved for multi-million dollar fraud cases.
This action continues a established pattern of Trump using his presidential powers to pardon political allies and prominent figures convicted of defrauding the public. Previous beneficiaries include Rod Blagojevich, the Democratic former Illinois governor, and John Rowland, the Republican ex-Connecticut governor, both convicted in corruption scandals.
Trump has also pardoned former New York Republican House member Michael Grimm, convicted of tax fraud, and reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, found guilty of cheating banks and evading taxes.
These clemency grants have targeted criminal cases once touted as just by the justice department and come amid a broader Trump administration effort to erode public integrity safeguards, including firing the department's pardon attorney and nearly dismantling a prosecution unit established to hold public officials accountable for abusing public trust.
