Congressional Democrats are investigating whether former President Donald Trump issued presidential pardons and commutations as part of potential pay-to-play arrangements, according to CBS News.

Lawmakers from both the Senate and House have sent letters to more than a dozen recipients of executive clemency during Trump's presidency. The letters request documents related to payment histories and communications with lawyers or individuals close to the former president.

The investigation focuses on examining whether there was a financial component to clemency decisions made during Trump's tenure. Presidential pardoning power is broad under the Constitution, but using it in exchange for payment could potentially constitute criminal behavior.

The scope of the inquiry includes both pardons, which completely forgive federal crimes, and commutations, which reduce sentences while leaving convictions intact. Trump issued numerous grants of executive clemency during his final weeks in office.

The investigation represents the latest congressional scrutiny of Trump's actions as president. Democrats are seeking to determine whether any quid pro quo arrangements existed between clemency recipients and the former president or his associates.