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In his second term, President Donald Trump has wielded his executive clemency power at an unprecedented rate, granting pardons and commutations to more than 1,600 individuals as of July 2025. This wave of clemency actions has drawn scrutiny for largely benefiting political allies, donors, and figures central to his base, while often circumventing the traditional review process managed by the Department of Justice.
Many beneficiaries have been individuals with personal or political connections to the White House. The list includes a wide array of figures, from former politicians convicted of corruption to reality television stars found guilty of tax evasion and bank fraud. Among the notable actions was the commutation of the life sentence for Ross William Ulbricht, founder of the illicit online marketplace Silk Road, who was convicted of multiple felonies including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. Details of this and other grants are listed on the official Department of Justice website. In many of these cases, Trump has also waived outstanding fines and restitution payments, at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion to victims, according to some analyses.
Critics argue that the pattern of these grants shows a departure from the intended use of clemency as a tool of mercy. Instead, they suggest it is being used to reward loyalty and support. An analysis by ProPublica highlights how few of the recipients have gone through the formal petition process with the Office of the Pardon Attorney, with most beneficiaries instead gaining clemency through direct access to Trump's inner circle. This has led to accusations that the president has exploited the system for political gain rather than providing a check on potential injustices within the legal system.
The clemency grants also extend to individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, events at the U.S. Capitol, further solidifying the perception that the president is using this constitutional power to aid his supporters. The practice has included pardoning an array of political allies and public figures, a trend that continues to fuel debate over the scope and purpose of presidential pardoning authority.
