President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has pardoned six people who were convicted or facing prison sentences in federal cases involving vehicle emissions laws, saying they had been unfairly prosecuted by the Biden administration for simply “fixing their cars.”
Trump made the announcement on July 3 in a post on Truth Social, describing the cases as examples of what he called the “weaponization” of the federal government during his predecessor’s administration.
Trump Pardons Six in Federal Vehicle Emissions Cases
“It is my Great Honor to have just signed Pardons for six people who were persecuted by the Biden Administration, and were in, or being sent to, prison, for ‘fixing their car,'” Trump wrote.
He added that although the cases might sound unbelievable, he believed they reflected the treatment many Americans endured during the previous administration.
Why Trump Says the Prosecutions Were Unfair
“While I know this sounds ridiculous, it is nevertheless a fact, and part of the Weaponization and Stupidity that our Country had to endure during four long years of Sleepy Joe Biden,” Trump said.
“I am setting them all free, right now.”
The president did not identify the six individuals who received pardons or provide details about their individual cases.
However, a senior White House official told CNN that the pardons involve people convicted of violating the federal Clean Air Act, which regulates vehicle emissions and air pollution.
The official said Trump met with senior advisers earlier Friday to review a new round of clemency recommendations before making his decision.
How the Administration Is Changing Environmental Enforcement
The latest pardons come as the administration continues reshaping federal enforcement of environmental crimes involving modified diesel vehicles and emissions-control systems.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department instructed federal prosecutors to end pending criminal investigations and withdraw remaining prosecutions involving so-called “defeat devices.”
What the Clean Air Act Cases Were About
Those devices, or related software, are used to bypass federally required emissions-control systems installed on certain diesel-powered vehicles.
The directive marked a significant change in how the federal government approaches environmental criminal enforcement.
Supporters of the move have argued that previous prosecutions unfairly targeted mechanics, vehicle owners and small businesses over technical emissions violations.
Critics, however, contend that weakening enforcement has the potential to undermine environmental protections established under the Clean Air Act.
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Trump has repeatedly criticized those prosecutions, portraying them as examples of government overreach.
His latest pardons are seen as an extension of a major effort to reverse policies he says unfairly punished Americans under the previous administration.
The president has made clemency a prominent part of his second term, using his constitutional pardon authority to revisit cases he believes were politically motivated or excessively prosecuted.
Under the U.S. Constitution, presidents have the authority to pardon individuals convicted of federal crimes or commute their sentences.
Trump has exercised that authority frequently since returning to office, with several decisions involving politically sensitive cases or individuals whose prosecutions drew national attention.
How Presidential Pardons Are Reviewed and Approved
The White House official said the president personally reviewed Friday’s recommendations before approving the pardons.
According to CNN, recommendations typically move through several senior officials before reaching the president.
White House Special Counsel David Warrington, U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin and Justice Department officials review cases before forwarding selected recommendations to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Trump then makes the final decision on whether to grant clemency.
The White House has emphasized that the president alone determines which cases receive pardons.
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A White House official told CNN that “President Trump is the ultimate decider on any clemency-related actions.”
Friday’s announcement follows growing interest from individuals seeking presidential pardons during Trump’s second term.
Requests for clemency have increased in recent months, with several high-profile cases drawing public attention.
Earlier this week, sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that Trump had also been discussing several other possible clemency requests involving well-known public figures, including music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, although no additional pardons were announced Friday.
Those discussions reportedly included individuals convicted in unrelated federal cases, but White House officials have not confirmed whether any further decisions are imminent.
