A coalition of Democratic lawmakers is urging President Joe Biden to pardon an environmental attorney known for his long-running legal battle against the oil giant Chevron.
Dozens of lawmakers led by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) sent Biden a letter Wednesday asking him to issue a “full and unconditional pardon” for Steven Donziger, who represented Ecuadorians in litigation against the oil company. Chevron filed criminal contempt charges against Donziger, and he later served in prison and under house arrest.
Pardoning Donziger would “send a powerful message to the world that billion-dollar corporations cannot act with impunity against lawyers and their clients who defend the public interest,” the lawmakers wrote. Signatories include Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
The request comes amid mounting pressure for the lame-duck president to use his authority to grant pardons before he leaves office. Biden has faced criticism — including from some of his Democratic allies — for his decision to pardon his son Hunter.
