Trump announced a pardon for conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza (and floated the idea of a Martha Stewart pardon, and a Rod Blagojevich commutation). “As with so many of Trump’s maneuvers, this is entirely within the legal bounds of his power but still largely outside the realm of propriety and precedent. In addition to the possible implications that Trump’s pardons have for the investigation into collusion with Russia—critics worry he’ll use them to obstruct prosecution—his methods of wielding the pardon power are likely to have long-ranging effects.” David Graham argues that Trump is weaponizing the pardon power.

+ Vox: How Dinesh D’Souza went from being a respected conservative intellectual to a conspiracy-minded felon.