Former President Trump has issued pardons to 77 individuals linked to efforts related to the 2020 presidential election. The pardons were announced via a proclamation published by Justice Department Pardon Attorney Ed Martin.
Recipients and Allegations
The list of individuals includes prominent figures such as Rudy Giuliani, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and Sidney Powell, an attorney who advocated for claims of ballot fraud following the 2020 election. These individuals were either charged with or accused of various actions related to attempts to challenge the 2020 election outcome. Some faced state prosecutions, while others were not formally charged.
Sidney Powell is among four pardon recipients who previously entered guilty pleas in a Georgia court concerning efforts to contest the 2020 election results in that state.
Nature of the Pardons
These pardons are largely symbolic as they apply only to federal offenses, and none of the named individuals were charged with federal crimes related to these specific efforts. Many of those listed faced charges in several swing states, including Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, and Wisconsin, where claims of election irregularities were made. Presidents do not possess the authority to pardon state crimes.
Date and Scope
The proclamation appeared to have been signed on Friday, and it explicitly stated that former President Trump was not among those pardoned. Trump has previously asserted an "absolute right" to pardon himself, a claim that has not been legally tested. The Supreme Court has affirmed broad immunity for presidents regarding official acts performed during their tenure.
Broader Context
In January, Trump issued pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, events at the U.S. Capitol. This group included Enrique Tarrio, former chairman of the Proud Boys, who had been convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years.
This series of pardons aligns with Trump's continued public statements regarding the outcome of the 2020 election, which was won by Joe Biden. In a 2022 interview, Trump reiterated his views on the election's outcome before concluding the discussion.