Stefanik denies talking clemency with Trump
Roger Stone claims lawmaker opposed presidential pardon
After winning a commutation from the president, Donald Trump’s longtime ally Roger Stone alleged two of Trump’s top defenders advocated against clemency for him, naming Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-schuylerville, and House Minority Leader Kevin Mccarthy, R-calif., in multiple interviews.
A spokeswoman for Stefanik said Thursday the congresswoman did not intervene in the case.
“Congresswoman Stefanik has never advocated on any pardoning matters with the president,” Stephanie Mcbath said. “Stefanik believes that all pardoning issues are the president’s decisions to make.”
Stone, who was convicted on charges of lying to Congress and threatening a witness, told conservative Charlie Kirk on his podcast that Stefanik and Mccarthy opposed his pardon because “it might cost the Republicans seats.” Stone claimed Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-florida, stood up for Stone privately and publicly as Trump considered the pardon.
Stone also told Foxnews Radio, “Kevin Mccarthy and Elise Stefanik were lobbying the president against any act of clemency. They, I guess, wanted me to die in a fetid, squalid hellhole in Georgia of coronavirus.”
Politico cited an anonymous source who confirmed a pardon or commutation for Stone was discussed when Stefanik and Mccarthy flew with Trump to Florida for the Spacex launch. The source said Stefanik and Mccarthy advised Trump to wait until after the election. Stefanik’s spokeswoman said the article was “inaccurate.”
Stefanik served on Trump’s impeachment defense team and has campaigned for his re-election around the country. Mcbath said Stefanik believes the investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who examined links between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia and uncovered the crimes of multiple Trump associates including Stone, was “corrupt and political.”
Stone’s comments represent a rare rebuke of Stefanik from the Trump team. Trump has in the past called her a “rising star.”
Trump commuted Stone’s sentence on July 10, erasing his prison time.
Stone was scheduled to start his 40-month prison sentence this month.