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Trump Grants Clemency to 85 Public Officials in Corruption Cases: Reuters
Reuters found the clemency spared recipients about 130 years in prison and $15 million in penalties, with most beneficiaries Republicans or Trump supporters.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump granted clemency to at least 85 public officials charged with or convicted of corruption-related crimes, with most recipients being Republicans or vocal supporters of his MAGA movement, according to Reuters.
White House spokesperson Lauren Bis defended the clemency actions, stating Trump grants relief to 'many Americans unjustly prosecuted by the Biden administration's weaponized Department of Justice,' citing the president's constitutional pardon authority.
Recipients including Nevada Republican Michele Fiore and Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar were spared 130 years in prison and more than $15 million in financial penalties through the clemency actions.
Retired federal prosecutor Phillip Halpern warned that 'President Trump is trying to end accountability for public officials,' stating the pardons encourage corruption and erode foundational democratic principles.
FBI Director Kash Patel shut down the elite corruption squad CR-15, while the DOJ has not disclosed new bribery cases in Trump's second term, raising concerns about public integrity enforcement.