In response to Vivek Ramaswamy's call for GOP presidential candidates to commit to pardoning Donald Trump, Larry Elder has issued his own challenge, focusing on what he terms "Soros-funded" district attorneys. Elder stated he will not participate in Ramaswamy's pledge, emphasizing his focus on serious issues rather than political maneuvering. Instead of a pardon, Elder proposes instructing his Attorney General to dismiss the charges against Trump, which he views as politically motivated. He further criticizes the perceived disparity in the handling of classified document investigations involving Trump and President Biden, and the lack of charges against Hillary Clinton related to her private email server.

Elder highlights what he sees as a broader issue of politicized prosecutions, with "Soros-funded prosecutors" failing to enforce the law. He plans to introduce legislation in Iowa to address this, enabling the removal of these "weak-on-crime" County Attorneys. Elder challenged Ramaswamy to support this measure, questioning whether his purported past connections to Soros might influence his decision.

The Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. campaign declined to comment on the Republican candidates' initiatives. Ramaswamy's campaign acknowledged both Elder and Kennedy's refusal to commit to the pardon pledge.

Ramaswamy's initial pledge followed Trump's arraignment on 37 felony charges related to classified documents, an event that sparked calls for similar charges against President Biden. Ramaswamy has subsequently filed a Freedom of Information Act request for communications between the White House and the Justice Department regarding Trump's second indictment.