Trump has pardoned dozens of his political allies and donors since retaking office, including several who have been convicted of fraud

President Donald Trump granted clemency to nearly 1,600 Jan. 6 defendants, cryptocurrency executive Changpeng Zhao, former Representative George Santos and others in 2025.

Republican challenger Tano Tijerina on Tuesday, roughly a month after he pardoned Cuellar, who was facing charges related to allegedly accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes and laundering the funds. “I don’t know why,

Although the president’s pardons frequently extend beyond the halls of political power to include international figures and celebrity notables, Trump has made a particular point of clearing the slate for elected officials with whom he often empathizes as fellow alleged victims of overzealous prosecution.

President Trump took pardon abuse to a new level this year with a string of dubious clemencies that together present a unique case study in how this unfettered executive power can be used to degrade, corrupt and politicize the justice system.

The physical damage from the Capitol riot has been repaired — and President Trump has pardoned almost every defendant. What remains is a battle over the basic facts.

Democrats propose constitutional amendment to limit presidential pardon power after Trump's controversial clemencies, including 1,500 January 6 defendants.