In a dramatic move, former US President Donald Trump has pardoned dozens of his allies accused of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss. The list includes prominent figures such as Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Jeffrey Clark, and Sidney Powell, according to a top Justice Department official on Monday.
Trump’s proclamation, dated Friday, called the pardons a step to end “a grave national injustice” and “continue the process of national reconciliation,” as shared on social media by Ed Martin, who oversees the department’s weaponization group.
The Justice Department had been investigating a plan by Trump and his supporters to submit alternative slates of state electors in an attempt to reverse President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020. Trump later secured a second term in 2024.
Scope of the Pardons
The pardons cover at least 77 individuals, though the document hints there could be more. High-profile names include Christina Bobb, John Eastman, and Boris Epshteyn. It’s important to note that presidential pardons only cover federal charges and do not protect anyone from state-level investigations or prosecutions.
Trump himself is not included in the pardons. Several of his recent pardons have also flown under the radar, with the White House not publicly announcing them at the time. Attempts to get a comment on Friday’s pardons were not returned.
Background of the Case
Trump faced legal scrutiny over the alleged plot to submit phony electors in support of his false claim of winning the 2020 election. While federal charges were dismissed following Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president, several states pursued investigations. Some filed charges, though at least one case was later dismissed.
This sweeping act of clemency has reignited debate across the US, highlighting the polarizing legacy of Trump’s post-election efforts and the continuing legal and political battles surrounding the 2020 election.
Trump’s pardons mark another bold chapter in his ongoing influence over American politics and his allies’ legal fates.
