Presidential pardons are a significant power, allowing the chief executive to forgive federal crimes. This authority gains renewed attention as political transitions occur and as recent events highlight the use of pardons, such as President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Historically, presidents have utilized this power for various reasons, sometimes controversially, including for family members and close allies. Former President Donald Trump, during his first term, issued a number of high-profile pardons, including one for a family member.
While President Biden’s pardon of his son has sparked debate, it’s not an unprecedented action. Looking back, former President Bill Clinton famously pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton, for drug-related charges. Donald Trump also followed this pattern, extending clemency to individuals within his family circle and inner circle. Over his term, Trump granted 144 pardons, a figure that included both a family member and several prominent allies convicted of various federal crimes.
So, What Family Member Did Trump Pardon? The answer is Charles Kushner, the father of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. But Kushner was just one name on a list of notable pardons that stirred considerable discussion. Trump’s pardons also included key allies like Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, and Roger Stone, all figures deeply connected to his political orbit. As discussions arise about potential future pardons in a possible second Trump term, it’s crucial to understand the scope and nature of his previous clemency decisions.
Here’s a closer examination of some of the key individuals who received pardons or clemency from President Trump:
Charles Kushner: Family Connection and Fraud Conviction
Charles Kushner, a real estate magnate and the father of Jared Kushner, was convicted in 2005 on charges including preparing false tax returns, witness retaliation, and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. These were serious financial crimes that led to a prison sentence of over 16 months. Despite the severity of these convictions, Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020. The White House statement at the time emphasized Kushner’s philanthropic activities, suggesting these outweighed his criminal history.
Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, received a pardon from President Trump for convictions of tax fraud and witness tampering.
The pardon of Charles Kushner directly answers the question of what family member did Trump pardon. His case highlights the presidential pardon power extending to family members, a practice seen across different administrations, albeit often under scrutiny. Interestingly, despite his pardon history, recent reports indicated Trump considered Charles Kushner for a significant diplomatic role, U.S. ambassador to France, further intertwining family and political considerations.
Steve Bannon: From White House to Fraud Allegations
Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist for Trump, was a key figure in his 2016 presidential campaign and administration. However, after leaving the White House, Bannon faced federal fraud charges related to the “We Build the Wall” online fundraising campaign. Prosecutors alleged that Bannon and others diverted funds raised for building a wall on the US-Mexico border for personal use.
Before his trial on these federal charges could commence, Trump issued a pardon for Bannon in 2021. The White House statement criticized the charges as politically motivated, echoing a common theme in Trump’s pardon justifications. Despite the presidential pardon for federal offenses, Bannon still faces state-level charges related to the same scheme, indicating the limits of presidential clemency. Separately, Bannon was convicted of contempt of Congress and served a prison sentence for defying a subpoena related to the January 6th Capitol attack investigation, a conviction not covered by Trump’s earlier pardon.
Paul Manafort: Financial Crimes and Political Connections
Paul Manafort served as chairman of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. He was later convicted on multiple counts, including financial fraud, witness tampering, and illegal lobbying activities. Manafort’s sentence amounted to over seven years in prison, stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
In the final days of his presidency, Trump granted a full pardon to Paul Manafort. The White House statement accompanying the pardon described Manafort as a victim of “prosecutorial overreach” and part of a “witch hunt,” aligning with Trump’s long-standing narrative regarding the Mueller investigation. Manafort’s pardon was one of the more controversial due to the serious nature of his financial and political crimes and his high-profile role in Trump’s campaign.
Roger Stone: Russia Probe and Witness Tampering
Roger Stone, a long-time political advisor and ally of Donald Trump, was also caught up in the fallout from the Mueller investigation. Stone was found guilty on seven felony counts, including obstruction of a congressional investigation, making false statements to Congress, and witness tampering. These charges were directly linked to his actions during the 2016 election and the subsequent investigations into Russian interference.
Stone received a prison sentence of over three years. Initially, Trump commuted Stone’s prison sentence in 2020, effectively preventing him from serving jail time. Later, in a further act of clemency, Trump granted Stone a full pardon. The White House, in its statement, described Stone as a victim of the “Russia Hoax,” echoing the rhetoric used in the Manafort pardon. Stone’s case, like Manafort’s, raised questions about the use of presidential pardon power to protect political allies involved in controversial events.
Michael Flynn: Lying to the FBI
Michael Flynn, a former national security advisor in the Trump administration, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications with a Russian ambassador. Flynn’s case was another offshoot of the Mueller investigation, focusing on contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.
Despite his guilty plea, Flynn later sought to withdraw it, claiming entrapment and political motivation behind the investigation. Before sentencing, Trump granted Flynn a full pardon. Flynn’s pardon was notable as it preempted the typical legal process of sentencing and appeals, and it further fueled debates about the politicization of the pardon power.
Conclusion: Presidential Pardons and Political Legacy
Donald Trump’s use of presidential pardons during his first term was marked by a willingness to grant clemency to family members and close political allies. The pardon of Charles Kushner answers directly what family member did Trump pardon, while the pardons of Bannon, Manafort, Stone, and Flynn underscore a pattern of using this power to protect associates facing serious criminal charges stemming from financial misconduct, political activities, and investigations into Russian interference. As the potential for future presidential pardons looms, understanding these past decisions provides critical context for evaluating the scope and impact of this significant presidential authority.
