Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican running for president, reportedly wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that he would “pardon” anybody found guilty in “politicized prosecutions.”
In a video clip included with his tweet, Ramaswamy mentioned the instance of Douglass Mackey, a social media troll who used the handle “Ricky Vaughn 99” on Twitter. In March 2016, a jury found Mackey guilty of charges related to memes published on the social networking platform in the lead-up to the 2016 election.
“We need to actually solve the cancer in the administrative-police state. I will shut down toxic agencies like the FBI & IRSI’ll pardon any federal defendants who were convicted in politicized prosecutions. It takes an outsider to get the job done.” The candidate said.
We need to actually solve the cancer in the administrative-police state. I will shut down toxic agencies like the FBI & IRS. I’ll pardon any federal defendants who were convicted in politicized prosecutions. It takes an outsider to get the job done. pic.twitter.com/DPvWXBG8X6
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) May 17, 2023
Following the publication of Special Counsel John Durham’s report on the genesis of the FBI investigation into claims that former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign collaborated with Russia, Ramaswamy previously stated his support for disbanding the FBI.
Additionally, he contributed $10,000 to Daniel Penny’s defense fund. The Marine veteran is accused of manslaughter after restraint Jordan Neely in a New York City subway vehicle.
[READ MORE: Supreme Court Refuses to Block Assault Weapon Ban in Illinois]
