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yesterday

Trump expands second-term pardon spree with Chrisley duo and former sheriff

Leadership changes at the Justice Department have failed to slow an opaque clemency push critics say endangers the integrity of federal prosecutions.

President Donald Trump pictured in the Oval Office at the White House on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. He has issued several pardons so far in his second term.
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Overview

  • On May 26, Trump granted a full pardon to former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins, who had been sentenced to 10 years for accepting bribes.
  • The following day, he commuted the prison sentences of reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud involving over $30 million.
  • The clemency surge follows his January 20 inauguration-day mass pardon of roughly 1,500 January 6 riot defendants, including Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes.
  • Trump’s dismissal of Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer in March and replacement with Ed Martin Jr. has coincided with critics’ warnings about an opaque process and its impact on DOJ prosecutions.
  • Advisers are reportedly lining up to lobby for clemency for former aides Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro in future pardon rounds.