The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 4, 2025
President Donald Trump recently announced pardons to a range of individuals, including convicted drug dealers, fraudsters, and . . . corrupt public officials. ABC New reports 1 in 5 have political or financial ties to the president.
Scott Jenkins, a former Culpeper County, Virginia sheriff had been sentenced to 10 years for taking $75,000 in bribes in exchange for issuing deputy sheriff badges. Jenkins has been a long-time Trump supporter.
Ardent Trump acolyte Michele Fiore had not yet been sentenced when she received her pardon on April 23rd. A former member of the Nevada Assembly and Las Vegas City Council, she was convicted of six counts of wire fraud for skimming money from a memorial for a slain Las Vegas police officer. She used the money for rent, plastic surgery and her daughter’s wedding.
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, was pardoned in February, after endorsing Trump’s 2020 and 2024 campaigns. Blagojevich appeared on Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice in 2010, but was convicted in 2011 of attempting to sell President Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat, among other corruption charges.
Former Kentucky state senator and 2016 Congressional candidate Brian Kelsey served only 2 weeks of a 21 month sentence on federal campaign finance violations and defrauding the Federal Election Commission before he was pardoned in March.
We have a full list of Trump’s pardons at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney – Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington – Trump has granted clemency to 16 corrupt politicians—so far
ABC News – Trump’s flurry of pardons include some to campaign contributors
CBS News – Trump says he’s pardoning Scott Jenkins, a sheriff convicted of taking $75,000 in bribes
Nevada Independent – OPINION: Trump’s audacious Fiore pardon gets buried by what came next
American Democracy Minute – What Corruption? Trump Pardons Former KY State Senator for Campaign Finance Fraud, and May Be Preparing to Dismantle DOJ Public Integrity Section
PBS NewsHour – A look at Trump’s controversial pardons for political allies and loyalists
Groups Taking Action:
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Public Citizen
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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