President Donald Trump has continued to issue pardons months into his second administration, building on the hundreds of clemencies granted since he returned to office, including political allies, business figures, and high-profile celebrities.
The White House announced a second round of pardons in late May, and some of the names included have given rise to concerns of lobbying around Trump to gain favor and obtain a pardon.
Why It Matters
Upon retaking office in January, Trump issued a spate of pardons, even vacating charges against some 1,500 individuals charged with offenses related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol—including those convicted of violent acts.
The scale and nature of Trump’s second-term pardons mark a significant shift in the use of presidential pardon, with many concerned that it is being used a political tool.
What To Know
Trump issued several pardons between May 26 and 28, some of which were not announced but merely confirmed via reporting as outlets queried the White House on specific cases. These include:
- Scott Jenkins, the former sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, who was convicted of accepting more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointing individuals as auxiliary deputies. Jenkins had been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2024. Trump criticized the prosecution as politically motivated and said Jenkins was the “victim of an overzealous” Justice Department under former President Joe Biden.
- Todd and Julie Chrisley, reality TV stars convicted in 2022 of several counts of fraud and tax evasion involving over $30 million. Todd was serving a 12-year sentence, and Julie was serving seven years. Their daughter, Savannah, a vocal Trump supporter, had lobbied for their release and received the news of their pardon in a phone call from the president.
- Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known as NBA YoungBoy, was cleared by pardon of a gun charge in Utah last year that landed him in prison, but he will now walk free in July thanks to Trump. In a statement posted to social media, the rapper thanked Trump’s “Pardon Czar,” Alice Johnson and said, “I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building – as a man, as a father, and as an artist. This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.”
- Former Representative Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who stepped down from office following a conviction for tax fraud, received a pardon on May 28, as confirmed by a White House official speaking anonymously as no formal announcement had been made at the time.
– Grimm was reelected in 2014 even while facing a federal indictment for underreporting wages and revenue at a health food restaurant he owned. He later pleaded guilty to the charges, resigned in early 2015, and served an eight-month prison sentence.
– In 2018, Grimm attempted a political comeback but failed to reclaim his seat. More recently, in a tragic turn of events, he was left paralyzed from the chest down after being thrown from a horse during a polo tournament last year. - Others: Additional commutations and pardons included Hunter Biden associate Jason Galanis, Ozy Media founder Carlos Watson, and former Arkansas state Senator Jeremy Hutchinson, according to CBS News.
Possible Pardons: Who Could Be Next?
- Trump has said he may “take a look” at pardoning individuals convicted of plots against public officials, including two men convicted of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The governor has expressed disappointment about these reports, particularly given that she has made great efforts to improve her working relationship with Trump.
- Trump is also considering pardons for high-profile political adversaries, including former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, convicted of corruption and awaiting sentencing. No formal request from Madigan has been filed as of June, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Most recently, reports have circulated that Trump may even consider a pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is on trial for a laundry-list of charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution.
However, when asked by Fox News‘ Peter Doocy if he would pardon Diddy, the president responded in part: “Well, nobody’s asked. You had to be the one to ask, Peter. I know people are thinking about it. First of all, I’d look at what’s happening. I haven’t spoken to him in years. He really liked me a lot.”
What People Are Saying
Lance Wilson, director of communications and policy for the Anti Police-Terror Project, posted on X, formerly Twitter, on May 27: “The Chrisleys defrauded banks out of $36 million—and they’re walking away after serving just a fraction of their time. Meanwhile, there are Black folks serving life for stealing a pack of gum. That’s not justice. That’s white privilege—and exactly who Trump protects.”
Conservative commentator George Behizy posted on X on May 28: “I’m not necessarily supportive of pardoning thugs like YoungBoy, but he should now live like a normal, law-abiding human. His music should be wholesome. No more rapping about ‘ops’ and ‘gangs.’”
In a separate post, Behizy wrote on May 28: “We don’t have to pardon rappers and gang leaders. We can pardon real heroes who deserve it. Pardon [Edward] Snowden. Pardon [Julian] Assange.“
Democratic Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel recently told The Detroit News: “When you take somebody who is clearly guilty of an offense, who shows no remorse of any kind, who does not demonstrate that they have been rehabilitated and, for political reasons, to either commute their sentence or to pardon them is the type of thing that really impacts of the morale of any prosecutor’s office.”
What Happens Next?
The Office of the Pardon Attorney and the White House continue to process thousands of applications, with the possibility of further high-profile pardons under active review.
The post Trump’s Pardon Spree May Not Be Over Yet: What to Know appeared first on Newsweek.
