All articles tagged with #clemency
DOJ documents released with Epstein/Maxwell files reveal a 2006 call in which Donald Trump told Palm Beach police chief Michael Reiter that Epstein was “disgusting” and Maxwell was “evil,” and said he had expelled Epstein from Mar-a-Lago. The disclosure comes as Maxwell’s lawyers push for clemency and amid ongoing investigations surrounding Epstein’s case.
Elizabeth Holmes has filed a clemency request with the Department of Justice asking President Donald Trump to commute her 11-year prison sentence for defrauding investors, potentially freeing her nearly six years early. Holmes is serving at Federal Prison Camp Bryan, Texas, after her 2022 conviction; an appeals court upheld the conviction and $452 million restitution against her and Sunny Balwani in 2025, and the White House will decide on pardons or commutations.
Trump has dramatically expanded federal clemency in his second term, issuing a large number of pardons and commutations—including a second pardon for Adriana Camberos in a separate case—and rolling out a sweeping set of pardons tied to January 6 and other political allies. His pace far exceeds that of Biden or Obama, aided by a dedicated pardon czar, Alice Marie Johnson. The clemency power applies only to federal charges, with pardons erasing convictions and commutations reducing sentences.
President Trump granted a pardon to Adriana Camberos, a San Diego woman whose sentence was commuted in 2021 after a 2016 conspiracy to counterfeit 5‑Hour Energy drinks; she was later convicted in 2024 of a separate multimillion‑dollar grocery-fraud scheme, and the pardon comes amid a wave of clemencies with little public justification from the White House.
A new round of presidential pardons from Donald Trump includes a repeat offender, underscoring the ongoing use of clemency in his administration.
Colorado election official Tina Peters, jailed for a 2021 Mesa County data-breach tied to elections and convicted in 2024 on multiple felonies, is appealing her conviction as Gov. Jared Polis signals possible clemency, citing age and a harsh sentence; a Colorado Court of Appeals hearing is scheduled Wednesday as Peters remains imprisoned during the appeals process.
Governor Jared Polis described Tina Peters' nine-year prison sentence as 'harsh,' prompting discussions about clemency or sentence reduction, with her defense team requesting a pardon amid ongoing legal appeals and political pressure.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, in his final year in office, is considering clemency for Tina Peters, a former county clerk convicted of election fraud, amidst his broader agenda to make Colorado more affordable and address budget shortfalls. He emphasizes balancing justice with compassion and focuses on issues like housing, healthcare, and energy development.
Georgia's scheduled execution of Stacey Humphreys has been temporarily halted by the parole board amid disputes over board member recusals and procedural issues related to his clemency hearing, with the suspension potentially lasting until further court decisions.
Eli Weinstein, a convicted fraudster, was released early from prison by Donald Trump’s clemency and quickly resumed fraudulent activities, leading to a new wave of scams involving fake deals and deception, highlighting issues with the US clemency process and the persistence of white-collar crime.
Donald Trump granted clemency to David Gentile, a private equity executive convicted of a $1.6 billion fraud scheme, shortly after he began serving a seven-year prison sentence; Gentile was released in November, amid ongoing legal and regulatory scrutiny of his activities.
President Trump has issued pardons and commutations to various individuals, including political allies and those connected to his personal and political interests, notably trying to overturn the 2020 election results, with his actions reflecting a more politicized use of clemency compared to previous presidents.
Rep. Jamie Raskin demands answers from President Trump regarding alleged preferential treatment of Ghislaine Maxwell at a federal prison, her potential clemency application, and possible influence of Maxwell in the Trump Administration, citing whistleblower reports of special privileges and a possible quid pro quo.
President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to former MLB star Darryl Strawberry for a 1995 tax evasion charge, highlighting his past struggles and subsequent efforts at sobriety and recovery, amidst a broader use of clemency powers during his second term.
President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who was serving over seven years for fraud and identity theft, citing his belief that Santos's crimes were not as severe as other political misrepresentations. Santos, who had admitted to deceiving donors and stealing identities, was released from prison immediately, with Trump praising his decision on social media. The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some Republicans supporting and others criticizing the clemency.