President-elect Donald Trump will have the power to grant pardons for federal crimes when he is sworn into office in January. President Joe Biden recently pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who was convicted of federal gun felonies and tax charges. Trump granted 144 pardons during his first term, including family members and allies, such as Charles Kushner, Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, and Michael Flynn. Kushner, convicted of tax fraud, was pardoned by Trump in 2020 and appointed as the U.S. ambassador to France. Bannon was pardoned while facing federal fraud charges related to a GoFundMe campaign. Manafort, convicted of financial crimes, received a pardon in Trump’s final days in office. Stone, convicted of obstruction and false statements, had his prison sentence commuted by Trump. Flynn, a former national security advisor, was pardoned after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with a Russian ambassador. Trump may consider pardons for Capitol rioters and Peter Navarro, who served time for contempt of Congress. The issue of presidential pardons has raised controversy and scrutiny, especially when used for close associates and family members.
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In his first term, Trump granted pardons to Kushner, Bannon, Flynn, and other allies.
