Trump Pardons 11, Including Donor and Emissions Cheaters, Falsely Claims They Were Persecuted for 'Fixing Their Car'

On the eve of Independence Day, President Trump issued 11 pardons, including a major donor and a former business partner of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, along with nine individuals convicted for large-scale tampering with vehicle emissions controls under the Clean Air Act. Trump announced the move on Truth Social, specifically naming six of those pardoned and claiming they were 'persecuted by the Biden Administration' for simply 'fixing their car,' a gross mischaracterization of federal offenses involving commercial-scale emissions cheating for profit. The pardons undercut environmental enforcement and rewarded political allies and donors, while twisting the record to promote a false narrative of political persecution.

"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.'"