Republicans dominate Trump's clemency grants for public officials

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 04:57 · Archive

Trump has granted clemency to at least 85 public officials, predominantly Republicans or supporters of his movement.

Trump has granted clemency to at least 85 public officials convicted or charged with corruption-related offences, according to a Reuters examination of such measures across his two terms in office. The political pattern is clear: the recipients overwhelmingly have been Republicans or vocal proponents of his MAGA movement, including at least 11 of 15 Republican members of Congress convicted of wrongdoing over the past two decades.

Michele Fiore, a local elected official and ardent Trump supporter in Nevada known as "Lady Trump", received a full and unconditional pardon weeks before she was to be sentenced. A federal jury in Las Vegas had found her guilty in October 2024 on seven counts of charity fraud after deliberating for fewer than two hours, including a lunch break. Prosecutors alleged she had solicited donations for a slain police officer's memorial fund but spent nearly $80,000 of it on plastic surgery, her daughter's wedding and rent. The pardon spared her prison time, criminal fines and restitution to donors.

A White House spokesperson said Biden-era prosecutors had targeted Fiore because of her "outspoken conservative views". In an email to Reuters, Fiore denied wrongdoing, stating: "I have never taken one red cent of donations for my personal use." Experts say Trump's clemency measures for those convicted of corruption give impunity to people meant to uphold the public trust.

How it is being reported

• In Trump’s pardons for public officials, Republicans win most of the mercyExperts say U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated acts of clemency for corruption give impunity to people meant to uphold the public trust.The Japan Times · 14 Oct, 03:13
• Republicans win most of the mercy in Trump’s pardons for public officialsIn nearly 2,000 acts of clemency, Trump has forgone longstanding practice of presidents working with the DOJ to evaluate who should merit clemencyIndependent World · 13 Oct, 16:17

In this story: Trump · Michele Fiore · Nevada · Las Vegas · Department of Justice · Reuters

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