On February 18, President Trump pardoned seven people from federal crimes, making a total of about 30 he has pardoned. The U.S. president has the authority to pardon anyone convicted of federal crimes. According to the U.S. Constitution, “He shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment” (Article II, Section 2). In 2014, Trump pardoned conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza who was convicted of illegally using straw donors to funnel donations to a Republican Senate candidate. Last year, Trump pardoned Michael Behenna, former U.S. Army Ranger convicted of murdering an Iraqi bomber who had planted an IED that killed two of Behenna’s fellow soldiers. He also pardoned Maj. Mathew Golsteyn who had been charged with murdering a Taliban bomb maker. In 1973, I was pardoned of all of my crimes against Almighty God. I was “condemned already” by the Highest Court in the universe (John 3:18), and my punishment would have been eternal judgment in the lake of fire. My pardon was issued by the Judge Himself, based on the fact that His only begotten Son took my due punishment and satisfied His law. Not only was I pardoned, I was adopted into the Judge’s family and made a joint heir with His Son.
(Friday Church News Notes, February 28, 2020, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)