December 3, 2025 - On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on Trump’s pardon and release of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted on drug trafficking and firearm charges:

“President Trump’s pardon and release of Juan Orlando Hernández is immoral and indefensible. 

“The disgraced former Honduran president worked with drug traffickers to flood America with 500 tons of cocaine on behalf of the most brutal and violent drug cartels on the planet.

“Hernández boasted that he was ‘going to stuff the drugs up the gringos’ noses.’ Let’s be clear: he was bragging about putting toxic, addictive, and deadly drugs into the bodies of American children and families. 

“This man does not deserve a pardon; he deserves punishment for his crimes. The president and his administration cannot defend or justify this grave and corrupt action that excuses the decades of harm Mr. Hernández inflicted on his country and ours.”

Source: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand