Pardon Analysis

Presidential pardon of former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced and co-defendants in federal campaign finance case, issued before sentencing.

Presidential pardon of Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and wife Imelda, indicted for accepting $598,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan and Mexico. Pardoned before trial. House Ethics investigation continues.

Presidential pardon of Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, indicted by Trump DOJ for bid-rigging on $375M Moody Center arena. OVG donated $250,000 to Trump inauguration fund. Pardoned 5 months after indictment.

Presidential pardon of former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted of facilitating 400+ tons of cocaine importation and receiving $1 million bribe from El Chapo. Roger Stone lobbied for pardon; BGR Group paid $660,000 for Honduras lobbying with ties to Marco Rubio.

Presidential pardon of nursing home magnate Joseph Schwartz, architect of Skyline Healthcare collapse affecting 7,000 patients. Schwartz paid $960,000 to lobbyists seeking pardon. State conviction in Arkansas remains; he is currently serving state sentence.

Sweeping pardon covering Trump allies and fake electors from 7 states who attempted to overturn 2020 election. Approximately 77 individuals pardoned including Giuliani (facing $148M judgment), Powell (who had pleaded guilty), and Meadows.

Trump pardoned three Tennessee Republican politicians convicted of corruption: Former House Speaker Glen Casada and chief of staff Cade Cothren (fake company fraud), and State Senator Brian Kelsey (campaign finance). Country star John Rich advocated for Casada/Cothren pardons.

Presidential pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty after $4.3 billion corporate settlement. Part of Trump administration crypto-friendly policy. Net worth estimated $33-65 billion.

Presidential pardon of Nikola Corporation founder Trevor Milton, convicted of defrauding investors with fake truck video. Milton donated $1.8 million to Trump campaign one month before election.

Presidential pardon of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who was serving double life sentence plus 40 years. Trump promised pardon at Libertarian National Convention in exchange for political support. Site facilitated $183 million in drug sales.

Largest single act of presidential clemency in modern American history. Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 January 6 defendants on his first day back in office, including Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy.