Editor’s note: This is a response to Caroline Johnston Polisi’s piece submitted last month laying out why she asked for a pardon for her client, George Papadopoulos. President Donald Trump pardoned Papadopoulos on Dec. 23. Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators during special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe. You can read Polisi’s piece here.

Caroline Johnston Polisi claims there was nothing improper about the pardon for George Papadopoulos. In fact, she claims it was a “vindication” of our justice system. No one can fault Polisi for advocating for her client. But I do take issue with her effort to rewrite history and portray Papadopoulos as a victim who is worthy of a pardon. He’s not.