Overview

• Jenkins received a full and unconditional pardon on May 26, preventing him from reporting to prison the following day.
• A December jury found Jenkins guilty of conspiracy, honest services fraud and seven counts of bribery after he accepted more than $75,000 in cash and campaign contributions to appoint businessmen as auxiliary deputies.
• The president labeled the prosecution 'overzealous' and said the Justice Department under Biden weaponized charges against Jenkins.
• Jenkins had sought clemency, saying he lacked funds for an appeal and believed Trump would intervene if he knew his side of the story.
• Critics have warned that the pardon undermines law enforcement accountability and erodes public trust in impartial justice.