He added, “I thank the Attorney General for her work to advance this much-needed reform and by signing it into law we are taking another step toward a stronger, fairer and more just Empire State for all.”
On the other hand, AG James commented, “We have a responsibility to ensure that individuals who commit crimes under New York state law are held accountable for those crimes. This critical new law closes a gaping loophole that could have allowed any president to abuse the presidential pardon power by unfairly granting a pardon to a family member or close associate and possibly allow that individual to evade justice altogether.”
In addition, AG James said the new Double Jeopardy law provides a “reasonable and necessary check on presidential power.” She reiterated that “no one is above the law.”
