Trump could mark July 4th with sweeping ‘250 pardons for 250 years’ initiative: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: White House officials are reportedly discussing a proposal that could see President Donald Trump issue hundreds of pardons to mark America's 250th birthday.
According to a new report published ahead of the Fourth of July celebrations, the idea has sparked debate inside the administration, with some advisors embracing it while others fear it could become another political flashpoint.
The proposal has not yet reached Trump's desk, but discussions surrounding the idea are already drawing attention because of the president's extensive use of his constitutional clemency powers since returning to office.
White House discusses large-scale pardon plan for America's 250th birthday
According to The Atlantic, more than a dozen people familiar with the discussions said some White House officials have floated the idea of announcing a major round of pardons around the Fourth of July.
The proposal has reportedly been nicknamed "250 pardons for 250 years" as a tribute to the nation's milestone anniversary.
However, the report says advisors remain divided over whether the move would ultimately help or hurt the president politically.
Some believe a broad clemency initiative could reinforce an image they describe as "Trump the merciful."
Others worry it could further damage the president's already low approval ratings.
Despite the internal discussions, a White House official told the publication that the proposal has not yet been presented to Trump and may never reach him.
Trump's pardon record remains under scrutiny
The latest discussions come after Trump faced repeated scrutiny over his use of presidential pardon powers.
Since returning to office, he has granted clemency to white-collar criminals and political allies, including nearly 1,600 defendants connected to the January 6 Capitol riot.
Responding to questions about the administration's approach, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to the existing review process.
"President Trump takes his absolute constitutional power to issue pardons and commutations seriously," Leavitt said.
"That's why we have a rigorous review process involving the Department of Justice and the White House Counsel's Office - a team of elite lawyers who carefully evaluate every request before it reaches the President's desk, and he serves as the final decision maker," she added.
According to The Atlantic, however, the administration has largely moved away from the traditional pardon application process handled by the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney.
Instead, the report says an informal network of White House intermediaries has emerged, with political allies helping clients seek clemency.
Report describes growing demand for presidential pardons
The report also highlights claims that a growing number of attorneys and lobbyists have become involved in helping clients pursue presidential pardons.
"It is general knowledge in our practice that for $2 million, you can have a pardon," one attorney told The Atlantic. "The clients come to us and tell us, 'I've been told I need to go hire this specific person, and [then] I will get a pardon.'"
The report notes that The Wall Street Journal previously described a separate "fast-track" pardon system in which lobbyists allegedly charged around $1 million to advocate for clemency.
With speculation growing over a possible Fourth of July announcement, attorneys reportedly say requests from prospective clients have surged.
"In 30 years of practicing law, I've never seen anything like this," one attorney said. "I'm exhausted."
The report also identified several people who have reportedly been mentioned as possible candidates for clemency, including Malaysian businessman and fugitive Low Taek Jho, rapper Pras Michel and entrepreneur Nicole Daedone.
A White House official, however, pushed back on those claims.
"While the President is the final decision maker on all pardons, these individuals are not on the radar of the pardon team," the official told the outlet.
