President Donald Trump issued pardons to 11 individuals on July 3, 2026, including several convicted of violations related to the Clean Air Act and a former business partner of lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The move highlights Trump’s continued expansive use of presidential clemency during his second term.
Among those pardoned were nine people previously convicted of offenses connected to tampering with vehicle emissions control systems or selling devices that bypass such systems, which are prohibited under the Clean Air Act. These convictions involved actions that federal authorities say undermined regulations intended to reduce air pollution. The White House framed the pardons as a relief from "regulatory burdens," with Trump describing the recipients as individuals "persecuted by the Biden administration" and imprisoned or facing imprisonment for "fixing their car." The names of those pardoned in this group include Joshua Davis, Matt Geouge, Jonathan Achtemeier, Tim Clancey, Ryan and Wade Lalone, Barry Pierce, Aaron Rudolf, and Mackenzie Spurlock.
Critics of the pardons argued that they effectively rewarded businesses engaged in practices that increased harmful nitrogen oxide emissions, contributing to public health risks such as respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Margore Ogo, former director at the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, stated the devices used by these individuals released significant pollution and undermined essential environmental protections.
In addition to the environmental case pardons, Trump granted clemency to Adam Kidan, a longtime Republican donor and former partner of Abramoff. Kidan pleaded guilty in 2005 to fraud and conspiracy charges related to the purchase of offshore gambling boats, for which he served nearly six years in prison. Since his release, Kidan has led staffing companies and remained active in Republican fundraising efforts, including hosting events at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
Another recipient was Jack Harvard, a former Texas mayor convicted of bank fraud in the 1990s. The White House noted that Harvard had since engaged in conservation efforts and permitted military and NATO exercises on his property.
Trump’s broad use of clemency in his recent tenure has extended to a diverse group of individuals, often with political connections. Since the start of his second term, he has pardoned many convicted Jan. 6 Capitol riot participants, political figures from both parties, and high-profile individuals convicted of drug-related offenses.
This approach has drawn debate over the traditional pardon process. Historically, clemency applications are reviewed extensively by the Justice Department, which recommends candidates who have typically completed their sentences and shown remorse. Trump, however, has frequently pardoned individuals without such vetting, including those still serving sentences or who have not acknowledged wrongdoing. Trump and his supporters argue that some cases represent prosecutorial overreach by the Biden administration, while legal experts emphasize the importance of a thorough, apolitical review process.
During his first term, Trump issued 238 clemencies, considerably fewer than his predecessor Joe Biden, who granted over 4,200 by the end of 2025. The ongoing use of presidential pardon powers remains a contentious element of Trump’s second-term presidency.