Overview

• On May 29, Trump granted clemency to 26 individuals including former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, ex-Rep. Michael Grimm, reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley and rapper NBA YoungBoy.
• Decisions were steered by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson and DOJ Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, who has promised to review Biden-era pardons.
• The beneficiaries were convicted of offenses ranging from corruption and tax fraud to bank fraud and illegal firearm possession.
• The Justice Department’s public integrity section has been significantly downsized and its prior pardon attorney, Liz Oyer, was dismissed earlier this year.
• Observers say the latest clemencies continue a trend from Trump’s first term of using executive power to reward loyal supporters.