Politics

Trump Grants Pardons and Commutations to Political Allies, Others

Illustration for: Trump Grants Pardons and Commutations to Political Allies, Others
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Nov 10, 2025

THE BARE STORY

President Trump recently pardoned former aide Rudy Giuliani and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who had been accused in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Other recent clemency actions include a mid-October sentence commutation for former Rep. George Santos, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and a full pardon for former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to money laundering.

These actions follow a series of clemency grants issued during Trump's second term. On his inauguration day this year, the president pardoned approximately 1,500 defendants convicted in relation to the January 6, 2021, Capitol incident. Full pardons were also granted to former Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins in May and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in February. A watchdog group stated in June that Trump had pardoned 16 officials convicted of corruption.

The administration has altered the official clemency process, appointing Ed Martin as the new U.S. Pardon Attorney in March. In February, Alice Marie Johnson, a past recipient of a pardon, was appointed as the president’s "pardon czar." Johnson stated in May that her efforts had led to over 46 people receiving a second chance. After one pardon, Martin reportedly posted "No MAGA left behind" online.

The pardons have drawn commentary from legal scholars. Stanford law professor Bernadette Meyler said the pardons created an "insider pardon" dynamic due to their political and personal connections. American University professor Jeffrey Crouch described the president's approach as "norm-busting." A White House spokesperson contrasted Trump’s actions with former President Biden's use of an autopen and a pardon for his son. Trump has stated he does not know Zhao, whose former company was noted as having ties to the Trump family's business.

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

Two AI models. Two viewpoints. One factual foundation.

Perspective by Claude

• The administration has formalized its process for granting clemency. President Trump appointed Ed Martin as the new U.S. Pardon Attorney and Alice Marie Johnson, a past pardon recipient, as the president's "pardon czar." Johnson stated her efforts have resulted in over 46 people receiving a second chance, while Martin reportedly posted "No MAGA left behind" after one pardon, indicating a clear objective for the clemency actions.

• Clemency has been granted to a wide range of individuals. The president has used his pardon and commutation powers for various cases, including for approximately 1,500 defendants connected to the January 6 Capitol incident. Other recipients include former officials like Sheriff Scott Jenkins and Governor Rod Blagojevich, as well as business figures like Changpeng Zhao.

• The White House distinguishes these pardons from those of a previous administration. A White House spokesperson contrasted President Trump's actions with former President Biden's use of an autopen and a pardon for his son. President Trump has also stated that he does not know Changpeng Zhao, whose former company was noted as having ties to the Trump family's business.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The pardon of officials convicted of corruption and financial crimes may affect public confidence in the equal application of the rule of law.

• The administration has altered the federal clemency process, which could change the criteria and accessibility for individuals seeking pardons or commutations in the future.

• Pardoning a figure who pleaded guilty to money laundering could affect perceptions of U.S. enforcement against financial crimes, potentially influencing market or regulatory behavior.

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