Today, President Donald J. Trump commuted the prison sentence of Sholom Rubashkin, an action encouraged by bipartisan leaders from across the political spectrum, from Nancy Pelosi to Orrin Hatch.’
Mr. Rubashkin is a 57-year-old father of 10 children. He previously ran the Iowa headquarters of a family business that was the countrys largest kosher meat-processing company. In 2009, he was convicted of bank fraud and sentenced thereafter to 27 years in prison. Mr. Rubashkin has now served more than 8 years of that sentence, which many have called excessive in light of its disparity with sentences imposed for similar crimes.
This action is not a Presidential pardon. It does not vacate Mr. Rubashkins conviction, and it leaves in place a term of supervised release and a substantial restitution obligation, which were also part of Mr. Rubashkins sentence.
The Presidents review of Mr. Rubashkins case and commutation decision were based on expressions of support from Members of Congress and a broad cross-section of the legal community. A bipartisan group of more than 100 former high-ranking and distinguished Department of Justice (DOJ) officials, prosecutors, judges, and legal scholars have expressed concerns about the evidentiary proceedings in Mr. Rubashkins case and the severity of his sentence. Additionally, more than 30 current Members of Congress have written letters expressing support for review of Mr. Rubashkins case.
Former High-Ranking DOJ Officials Who Have Expressed Support for Review of Mr. Rubashkins Case:
Attorney General Bill Barr
Attorney General Edwin Meese III
Attorney General Michael Mukasey
Solicitor General Seth Waxman
FBI Director Louis Freeh
Current Members of Congress Who Have Expressed Support For Review of Mr. Rubashkins Case
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO)
Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY)
Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
Representative Steve King (R-IA)
Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY)
Representative Richard Neal (D-MA)
Representative Tom McClintock (R-CA)
Representative Tom Marino (R-PA)
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)
Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Representative Ted Poe (R-TX)
Representative Jared Polis (D-CO)
Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL)
Representative Tom Reed (R-NY)
Representative Tom Rooney (R-FL)
Representative John Sarbanes (D-MD)
Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA)
Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ)
Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Representative Nydia Velazquez (D-NY)
1. A grateful yid wrote:
Mazel tov to the Rubashkin family and mazel tov to Kehillat lubavitch
previous PRESIDENTS DIDNT CARE
BUT amazing Donald GOT HIM OUT
AND THE LEFTY[‘S SAY Donald IS NOTGOOD FOR THE JEWS
BH,… BH.. BH
2. Just Another Yid wrote:
May G-D bless our President Mr. Donald Trump
3. Ein Od Milvado ! wrote:
Boruch Hatoiv vehametiv !
We are dancing of JOY. Thank you H’ ! Thank you Rebbe, Thank you President Trump for being a real Shaliach of G’.
The Rebbe will certainly not stay in debt toward the President.
Kol Hakavod !
4. after moosaf.... wrote:
ITS ABOUT TIME! Now When is linda reade replacing him?
5. Higher than Nature wrote:
B”H
He sat 8 years 8 days and got out on the 8th day of Chanuka, in the year 5778 Didan Notzach! Baruch Hashem!
PADA B”SHOLOM!
6. Donny wrote:
maybe he is mashiach?
7. Milhouse wrote:
A Levi can’t be Moshiach.
8. There is a boss wrote:
Please THANK PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR RUBASHKIN RELEASE! https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
9. Just Another Yid wrote:
done deal
10. Crown Heights Resident wrote:
President Donald Trump is the FIRST AMERICAN PRESIDENT who kept difficult campaign promises.
11. Picaboo Shimon wrote:
Great news! Finally some good news!
May hashem continue to bless us with good news
12. Lawrence wrote:
Will there be a further chag hageulah on the Chabad calendar
Zos Chanukah
13. Lawrence wrote:
#6
No doubt !
Thee of little faith