(Image source from: India Today)

The decision to pardon Indian-American political conservative commentator, author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza by United States President Donald Trump is being firmly criticized.

The New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood delineated the decision of Trump as thwarting the cause of justice.

Trump pardoned D'Souza on Thursday who was condemned to five years of probation for violating federal campaign laws in 2014.

Read: Trump Pardons Indian American Conservative Commentator Dinesh D'Souza

"Trump’s latest pardon makes crystal clear his willingness to use his pardon power to thwart the cause of justice, rather than advance it. By pardoning Dinesh D’Souza, President Trump is undermining the rule of law by pardoning a political supporter who is an unapologetic convicted felon," Underwood said in a statement.

Referring to previous pardons by Trump, Underwood said "we can’t afford to wait to see who will be next."

In a consequence to Trump's pardon, Underwood called on lawmakers to act now to close loophole of New York's double jeopardy ensuring that anyone who evades justice by virtue of a politically expedient pardon can be held responsible in case violating New York law.

The New York Times, in a scathing editorial on Trump’s pardon of D’Souza, said the president "uses whatever power he has to attack the people he feels have wronged him, and he will do what he feels he must to protect himself. For him, pardons are a means of vengeance."

By Sowmya Sangam