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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Relevance and Clarity is 53. The grade is held to 30, 30 above Relevance. 30 / 100, held down by Relevance
Signal
80 / 100
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Relevance
0 / 100
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Respect
–
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Clarity
79 / 100
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A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Greeting 13% Claims 69% Promise 6% Reasoning 6% Positioning 6%
Structure · 8 steps
Claims · 3
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 33 words I thank the distinguished gentleman from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, my dear friend, the once and future chair of the Committee on Rules. I appreciate his passion and his energy around this issue. Greeting Claims · 71 words As many of us witnessed in this weekend’s explosive ``60 Minutes’’ report, the White House continues to betray the public’s trust and abuse the pardon power for personal gain.1 Unearned certainty To combat this rampant corruption, I recently introduced H.R. 10032, the No Payoffs for Pardons Act.2 This legislation will bring desperately needed transparency and accountability to the Presidential pardon process. It will prevent Presidents from exchanging clemency for financial or political favors. Promise · 15 words It will restore the trust that has been systematically eroded since this administration’s term began. Vague promise Claims · 82 words On the first day of Donald Trump’s second term, he issued a blanket pardon to the violent cop-killers who attacked this very building, this Chamber, on January 6, 2021, many of whom have gone on to commit subsequent serious violent crimes.3 He has pardoned prolific fraudsters that have bilked families out of their life savings and retirement funds, depriving them of any chance whatsoever for justice or restitution. The Constitution grants Presidents broad authority to issue pardons as a safeguard against injustice, Reasoning · 15 words as an instrument for mercy, not as a tool for personal enrichment or political favoritism. Claims · 19 words Yet, President Trump has repeatedly used the clemency power to benefit only political allies, wealthy associates, and well-connected individuals, Positioning · 14 words while at the same time cheating those who truly, truly deserve justice and mercy. Positioning Off point
At a glance
Lost points for Off point ×13 Greeting ×2 Unearned certainty Vague promise Positioning Off topic None of this speech addressed the bill under debate and what it would change.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 80
3 of 18 deductions are Signal
Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.
Greeting Greetings and pleasantries. What the tags mean → “I thank the distinguished gentleman from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, my dear friend, the once and future chair of the Committee on Rules.” A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Greeting Greetings and pleasantries. What the tags mean → “I appreciate his passion and his energy around this issue.” A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “while at the same time cheating those who truly, truly deserve justice and mercy.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · 0
13 of 18 deductions are Relevance
Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue. Measured against the bill under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “As many of us witnessed in this weekend’s explosive ``60 Minutes’’ report, the White House continues to betray the public’s trust and abuse the pardon power for personal gain.” Turns to the White House pardon power, not the bills under consideration.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “To combat this rampant corruption, I recently introduced H.R.” Introduces a different bill, H.R. 10032, rather than addressing the rules or bills under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “10032, the No Payoffs for Pardons Act.” Continues describing the unrelated pardon bill.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “This legislation will bring desperately needed transparency and accountability to the Presidential pardon process.” Describes the unrelated pardon bill’s transparency aims, not the measures under consideration.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “It will prevent Presidents from exchanging clemency for financial or political favors.” Describes the unrelated pardon bill’s effects, off the bills under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “It will restore the trust that has been systematically eroded since this administration’s term began.” Attacks the administration’s record on trust rather than the bills or rules being considered.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “On the first day of Donald Trump’s second term, he issued a blanket pardon to the violent cop-killers who attacked this very building, this Chamber, on January 6, 2021, many of whom have gone on to commit subsequent serious violent crimes.” Recounts January 6 pardons, a subject outside the bills under consideration.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “He has pardoned prolific fraudsters that have bilked families out of their life savings and retirement funds, depriving them of any chance whatsoever for justice or restitution.” Recounts pardons of fraudsters rather than addressing the bills under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “The Constitution grants Presidents broad authority to issue pardons as a safeguard against injustice,” Discusses the constitutional pardon power, not the measures under consideration.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “as an instrument for mercy, not as a tool for personal enrichment or political favoritism.” Continues the pardon-power discussion, off the bills under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “Yet, President Trump has repeatedly used the clemency power to benefit only political allies, wealthy associates,” Criticizes President Trump’s clemency use rather than the bills under consideration.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “and well-connected individuals,” Continues criticism of pardon beneficiaries, not the bills under debate.
Off point Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate. What the tags mean → “while at the same time cheating those who truly, truly deserve justice and mercy.” Concludes on the pardon-power criticism rather than the bills under consideration.
Respect · no score
Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.
Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.
Clarity · 79
2 of 18 deductions are Clarity
Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “As many of us witnessed” Appeals to shared observation rather than pointing to the report’s findings as the basis for the accusation.
Vague promise A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible. What the tags mean → “It will restore the trust” Offers a future result with no measure or condition for when trust would count as restored.
Claims · 3
This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.
1 “this weekend’s explosive ``60 Minutes’’ report” A ’60 Minutes’ report about the White House and the pardon power aired the weekend before September 15, 2026. search 2 “10032, the No Payoffs for Pardons Act.” Representative Joseph Morelle introduced H.R. 10032, the No Payoffs for Pardons Act, shortly before September 15, 2026. search 3 “On the first day of Donald Trump’s second term, he issued a blanket pardon to the violent cop-killers who attacked this very building, this Chamber, on January 6, 2021” Donald Trump issued a blanket pardon on the first day of his second term covering people who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021. search
