Pardons, Dropped Cases and Cover-Ups

Clemency for the Connected

Trump Ended Santos's Restitution to Fraud Victims and Pardoned Men With Financial Ties to Him

Select a Section to Explore

Chapter 1 — Trump Freed Santos and Ended His Payments to Victims

Chapter 2 — A $2 Billion Investment Used the Trump Family's Coin

Chapter 3 — $3.5 Million to MAGA Inc., Then Two Pardons

Chapter 4 — A Trump Donor and a Member of His Transition Team

Chapter 5 — A Public Power, Private Connections and People Left Waiting

1 · Trump Freed Santos and Ended His Payments to Victims

1 · Trump Freed Santos and Ended His Payments to Victims — select a subtopic

1.1 — Mercy for Santos, a Loss for His Victims

1.2 — The Crimes Behind the Sentence

1.3 — What Trump's Mercy Accomplished

1 · Trump Freed Santos and Ended His Payments to Victims

1.1 · Trump Freed Santos and Ended His Payments to Victims

Mercy for Santos, a Loss for His Victims

Trump freed George Santos and ended any further court-ordered repayment to his fraud victims. He was the first of five men connected to Trump's financial or political interests to receive clemency in less than nine months.

Post on Truth Social

This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!

Donald J. Trump, President of the United States · October 17, 2025

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Sources

[1]Executive Grant of Clemency (commutation), George Anthony Devolder Santos, United States v. Devolder Santos, 2:23-cr-00197 (Oct. 17, 2025)

[2]U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, 'Ex-Congressman George Santos Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft' (Apr. 25, 2025)

[3]Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), post on Truth Social (Oct. 17, 2025, 22:04 UTC)

[4]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 'Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)' (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

[5]Executive Grant of Clemency, Changpeng Zhao, United States v. Zhao, 23CR00179RAJ-001 (Oct. 21, 2025)

[6]Executive Grant of Clemency, Julio M. Herrera Velutini, United States v. Julio Herrera Velutini, 3:25-cr-297 (SCC) (listed Jan. 20, 2026)

[7]Executive Grant of Clemency, Adam R. Kidan, United States v. Kidan, et al., 0:05-CR-60204 (listed July 3, 2026)

[8]Proclamation 11033 of June 4, 2026, Granting Pardon to Stephen E. Buyer, 91 FR 35365 (June 10, 2026)

[9]Associated Press, 'Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao,' PBS NewsHour (Oct. 23, 2025)

[10]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, 'Former Governor of Puerto Rico Arrested in Bribery Scheme' (Aug. 4, 2022)

[11]Dan Christensen, Florida Bulldog, SunCruz fraudster Adam Kidan who paid Trump millions draws pardon from Trump (July 5, 2026)

[12]Fox 5 New York / LiveNOW from Fox (with Associated Press material), 'Trump pardons Stephen Buyer, GOP congressman convicted of insider trading' (June 6, 2026)

[13]Kenneth P. Vogel and Alan Feuer, The New York Times, report on the July 2026 clemency denials, as carried by The Boston Globe (July 21, 2026)

1.2 · Trump Freed Santos and Ended His Payments to Victims

The Crimes Behind the Sentence

Santos stole donors' identities, charged their credit cards without permission and admitted targeting elderly people with cognitive impairment. The House had already expelled him with the votes of 105 Republicans.

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Sources

[2]U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, 'Ex-Congressman George Santos Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft' (Apr. 25, 2025)

[14]U.S. House of Representatives, Roll Call 691, H. Res. 878 (Dec. 1, 2023)

1.3 · Trump Freed Santos and Ended His Payments to Victims

What Trump's Mercy Accomplished

Trump said Santos's punishment was excessive and that he had been mistreated in prison. Releasing him accomplished that stated goal, but Trump also ended his remaining duty to repay victims.

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Sources

[1]Executive Grant of Clemency (commutation), George Anthony Devolder Santos, United States v. Devolder Santos, 2:23-cr-00197 (Oct. 17, 2025)

[2]U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, 'Ex-Congressman George Santos Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft' (Apr. 25, 2025)

[3]Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), post on Truth Social (Oct. 17, 2025, 22:04 UTC)

[15]Associated Press, Trump commutes 7-year prison sentence of former Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case, PBS News (Oct. 17, 2025)

[16]Amanda Terkel, Katherine Doyle and Adam Reiss, NBC News, Trump commutes former Rep. George Santos' prison sentence (Oct. 17, 2025; updated Oct. 18)

2 · A $2 Billion Investment Used the Trump Family's Coin

2 · A $2 Billion Investment Used the Trump Family's Coin — select a subtopic

2.1 — Trump's Financial Interest, Then Zhao's Pardon

2.2 — A Guilty Plea, Not a Finding of Innocence

2.3 — The Defense, and What It Does Not Answer

2 · A $2 Billion Investment Used the Trump Family's Coin

2.1 · A $2 Billion Investment Used the Trump Family's Coin

Trump's Financial Interest, Then Zhao's Pardon

Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao after a $2 billion investment in Binance was paid in USD1, the coin of the Trump family's World Liberty Financial. Trump's disclosure shows separate income from a World Liberty company.

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Sources

[1]Executive Grant of Clemency (commutation), George Anthony Devolder Santos, United States v. Devolder Santos, 2:23-cr-00197 (Oct. 17, 2025)

[5]Executive Grant of Clemency, Changpeng Zhao, United States v. Zhao, 23CR00179RAJ-001 (Oct. 21, 2025)

[9]Associated Press, 'Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao,' PBS NewsHour (Oct. 23, 2025)

[17]CNBC, 'Pardoned Binance founder Zhao says his business relationship with the Trumps was misconstrued' (Jan. 23, 2026)

[18]Donald J. Trump, Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e), 2025 annual report

[19]Letter from Sens. Warren, Van Hollen, Sanders, Hirono, Blumenthal, Merkley and Reed to Attorney General Bondi and Treasury Secretary Bessent (Oct. 28, 2025)

[20]Lobbying Disclosure Act filings, client name 'Binance', filing year 2025 (Senate Office of Public Records database, page 1 of 2)

2.2 · A $2 Billion Investment Used the Trump Family's Coin

A Guilty Plea, Not a Finding of Innocence

Zhao admitted failing to maintain safeguards against money laundering. Binance admitted conduct that included more than $898 million in trades between U.S. users and users in Iran, and agreed to a financial penalty exceeding $4.3 billion.

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Sources

[4]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 'Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)' (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

[9]Associated Press, 'Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao,' PBS NewsHour (Oct. 23, 2025)

[17]CNBC, 'Pardoned Binance founder Zhao says his business relationship with the Trumps was misconstrued' (Jan. 23, 2026)

[21]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, 'Binance and CEO Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in $4B Resolution' (Nov. 21, 2023)

[22]United States' Sentencing Memorandum, United States v. Zhao, No. 2:23-cr-00179-RAJ (W.D. Wash. Apr. 23, 2024), Dkt. 78

2.3 · A $2 Billion Investment Used the Trump Family's Coin

The Defense, and What It Does Not Answer

The White House says Zhao's prosecution unfairly punished the crypto industry. Zhao says he knows of no pardon deal, and World Liberty says it had no role in the pardon process. Zhao had pleaded guilty.

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Sources

[5]Executive Grant of Clemency, Changpeng Zhao, United States v. Zhao, 23CR00179RAJ-001 (Oct. 21, 2025)

[9]Associated Press, 'Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao,' PBS NewsHour (Oct. 23, 2025)

[17]CNBC, 'Pardoned Binance founder Zhao says his business relationship with the Trumps was misconstrued' (Jan. 23, 2026)

[19]Letter from Sens. Warren, Van Hollen, Sanders, Hirono, Blumenthal, Merkley and Reed to Attorney General Bondi and Treasury Secretary Bessent (Oct. 28, 2025)

[21]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, 'Binance and CEO Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in $4B Resolution' (Nov. 21, 2023)

[23]CBS News, 'Read the full transcript of Norah O'Donnell's 60 Minutes interview with President Trump' (Nov. 2, 2025)

[24]Timmy Shen, The Block, White House says Trump's pardon of CZ was reviewed with utmost seriousness (Nov. 5, 2025)

3 · $3.5 Million to MAGA Inc., Then Two Pardons

3 · $3.5 Million to MAGA Inc., Then Two Pardons — select a subtopic

3.1 — The Donations and the Charge Reduction

3.2 — Trump Removed Even the Misdemeanor Consequences

3 · $3.5 Million to MAGA Inc., Then Two Pardons

3.1 · $3.5 Million to MAGA Inc., Then Two Pardons

The Donations and the Charge Reduction

A donor NBC News identifies as Julio Herrera Velutini's daughter gave MAGA Inc. $3.5 million. The first contribution preceded the government's decision to replace bribery charges with a misdemeanor, and the second followed it.

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Sources

[4]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 'Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)' (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

[10]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, 'Former Governor of Puerto Rico Arrested in Bribery Scheme' (Aug. 4, 2022)

[25]United States' Notice of Executive Grants of Clemency, United States v. Vazquez-Garced, Crim. No. 22-342 (SCC) (D.P.R. Jan. 19, 2026), ECF 895

[26]Federal Election Commission, Schedule A itemized receipt, MAGA Inc. (C00892471): HERRERA, ISABELA, $2,500,000, Dec. 31, 2024

[27]Federal Election Commission, Schedule A itemized receipt, MAGA Inc. (C00892471): HERRERA, ISABELA, $1,000,000, July 22, 2025

[28]NBC News, 'Trump pardons former Puerto Rican Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced' (Jan. 16, 2026)

[29]Order, United States v. Vázquez-Garced, Crim. No. 22-342 (SCC) (D.P.R. July 8, 2025), ECF 885 (Carreño-Coll, J.)

[30]Judgment of Dismissal, United States v. Herrera-Velutini, No. 3:25-cr-00297-SCC (D.P.R. Jan. 27, 2026), ECF 44

[31]Docket entries 1 to 20, United States v. Herrera-Velutini, No. 3:25-cr-00297 (D.P.R.), as mirrored by CourtListener's RECAP archive

[32]Federal Judicial Center, Carreño-Coll, Silvia Luisa (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

3.2 · $3.5 Million to MAGA Inc., Then Two Pardons

Trump Removed Even the Misdemeanor Consequences

Trump pardoned Herrera Velutini twice before sentencing, covering both the old indictment and the misdemeanor contribution by a foreign national. The court then dismissed the misdemeanor case because of the pardon.

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Sources

[4]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 'Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)' (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

[6]Executive Grant of Clemency, Julio M. Herrera Velutini, United States v. Julio Herrera Velutini, 3:25-cr-297 (SCC) (listed Jan. 20, 2026)

[25]United States' Notice of Executive Grants of Clemency, United States v. Vazquez-Garced, Crim. No. 22-342 (SCC) (D.P.R. Jan. 19, 2026), ECF 895

[28]NBC News, 'Trump pardons former Puerto Rican Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced' (Jan. 16, 2026)

[30]Judgment of Dismissal, United States v. Herrera-Velutini, No. 3:25-cr-00297-SCC (D.P.R. Jan. 27, 2026), ECF 44

[31]Docket entries 1 to 20, United States v. Herrera-Velutini, No. 3:25-cr-00297 (D.P.R.), as mirrored by CourtListener's RECAP archive

[33]Campaign Legal Center, Complaint to the Federal Election Commission against Julio Herrera Velutini and Isabela Herrera (Feb. 17, 2026)

[34]Sarah N. Lynch and Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, Trump pardons Puerto Rico's former governor Wanda Vazquez (updated Jan. 16, 2026)

4 · A Trump Donor and a Member of His Transition Team

4 · A Trump Donor and a Member of His Transition Team — select a subtopic

4.1 — Kidan's Contributions and His Pardon

4.2 — Buyer: Endorsements Instead of an Explanation of the Crime

4 · A Trump Donor and a Member of His Transition Team

4.1 · A Trump Donor and a Member of His Transition Team

Kidan's Contributions and His Pardon

Trump pardoned Adam Kidan, whose fraud sentence included $21,701,015.45 in restitution. Florida Bulldog reported that he gave more than $1.13 million to Trump's campaign and supporting committees during the 2024 campaign, and held his wedding at Mar-a-Lago.

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Sources

[4]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 'Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)' (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

[7]Executive Grant of Clemency, Adam R. Kidan, United States v. Kidan, et al., 0:05-CR-60204 (listed July 3, 2026)

[11]Dan Christensen, Florida Bulldog, SunCruz fraudster Adam Kidan who paid Trump millions draws pardon from Trump (July 5, 2026)

[35]Associated Press (Michelle L. Price), 'Trump pardons former Abramoff partner, 9 people convicted of violating vehicle emissions controls,' WSLS (July 3, 2026; posted July 4, 2026 UTC)

[36]Federal Election Commission, Schedule A itemized receipts, contributor name 'Kidan', 2023-2024 period (100 largest of 868 records)

[37]28 C.F.R. § 1.2, Eligibility for filing petition for pardon (Legal Information Institute rendering)

4.2 · A Trump Donor and a Member of His Transition Team

Buyer: Endorsements Instead of an Explanation of the Crime

Trump pardoned Stephen Buyer, a member of his 2016 transition team, on the recommendation of 53 named endorsers. A jury had convicted Buyer of four securities-fraud counts, and the proclamation praised his career without mentioning them.

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Sources

[4]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 'Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)' (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

[8]Proclamation 11033 of June 4, 2026, Granting Pardon to Stephen E. Buyer, 91 FR 35365 (June 10, 2026)

[12]Fox 5 New York / LiveNOW from Fox (with Associated Press material), 'Trump pardons Stephen Buyer, GOP congressman convicted of insider trading' (June 6, 2026)

[38]U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York, 'Former Congressman Sentenced To 22 Months In Prison For Insider Trading' (Sept. 19, 2023)

5 · A Public Power, Private Connections and People Left Waiting

5 · A Public Power, Private Connections and People Left Waiting — select a subtopic

5.1 — Nearly 6,000 Denials in the Ordinary Queue

5.2 — The Strongest Legal Defense Is Correct, but Incomplete

5.3 — The President Is Responsible for These Grants

5 · A Public Power, Private Connections and People Left Waiting

5.1 · A Public Power, Private Connections and People Left Waiting

Nearly 6,000 Denials in the Ordinary Queue

The New York Times reported that nearly 6,000 clemency applications were denied in July 2026, mostly from people without political connections. Four rejected applications came from a university clinic invited to submit candidates.

Read the full chapter — all the detail, fully footnoted →

Sources

[1]Executive Grant of Clemency (commutation), George Anthony Devolder Santos, United States v. Devolder Santos, 2:23-cr-00197 (Oct. 17, 2025)

[4]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 'Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)' (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

[5]Executive Grant of Clemency, Changpeng Zhao, United States v. Zhao, 23CR00179RAJ-001 (Oct. 21, 2025)

[6]Executive Grant of Clemency, Julio M. Herrera Velutini, United States v. Julio Herrera Velutini, 3:25-cr-297 (SCC) (listed Jan. 20, 2026)

[7]Executive Grant of Clemency, Adam R. Kidan, United States v. Kidan, et al., 0:05-CR-60204 (listed July 3, 2026)

[8]Proclamation 11033 of June 4, 2026, Granting Pardon to Stephen E. Buyer, 91 FR 35365 (June 10, 2026)

[13]Kenneth P. Vogel and Alan Feuer, The New York Times, report on the July 2026 clemency denials, as carried by The Boston Globe (July 21, 2026)

5.2 · A Public Power, Private Connections and People Left Waiting

The Strongest Legal Defense Is Correct, but Incomplete

The President has broad constitutional power to pardon, and the Justice Department's clemency rules do not restrict it. That makes the grants valid without making their use immune from impeachment scrutiny.

Read the full chapter — all the detail, fully footnoted →

Sources

[4]U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, 'Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)' (captured Oct. 10, 2026)

[13]Kenneth P. Vogel and Alan Feuer, The New York Times, report on the July 2026 clemency denials, as carried by The Boston Globe (July 21, 2026)

[17]CNBC, 'Pardoned Binance founder Zhao says his business relationship with the Trumps was misconstrued' (Jan. 23, 2026)

[23]CBS News, 'Read the full transcript of Norah O'Donnell's 60 Minutes interview with President Trump' (Nov. 2, 2025)

[34]Sarah N. Lynch and Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, Trump pardons Puerto Rico's former governor Wanda Vazquez (updated Jan. 16, 2026)

[37]28 C.F.R. § 1.2, Eligibility for filing petition for pardon (Legal Information Institute rendering)

[39]U.S. Constitution, art. II, § 2, cl. 1 and art. II, § 4 (National Archives transcript)

[40]Ex parte Garland, 71 U.S. (4 Wall.) 333 (1866)

[41]Schick v. Reed, 419 U.S. 256 (1974)

[42]28 C.F.R. § 1.11, Advisory nature of regulations (Legal Information Institute rendering)

[43]Trump v. United States, No. 23-939, 603 U.S. 593 (2024) (slip opinion)

[44]H.R. Rep. No. 107-454, 'Justice Undone: Clemency Decisions in the Clinton White House,' Committee on Government Reform, vol. 1 (May 14, 2002)

[45]Ex parte Grossman, 267 U.S. 87 (1925)

[46]United States v. Sun-Diamond Growers of California, 526 U.S. 398 (1999)

5.3 · A Public Power, Private Connections and People Left Waiting

The President Is Responsible for These Grants

Trump himself granted this clemency, and his own Santos announcement praised partisan loyalty. His decisions ended criminal consequences for men with financial or political ties to him and, for Santos, further payments to victims.