Opinion: Trump's Pardon Controversy, Analysts Reveal Interests Behind the Clemency

According to CCN, former Justice Department pardon attorney Liz Oyer pointed out that the pardons issued during President Trump's term have waived over $1 billion in fines and restitution. By mid-2025, Trump has approved over 1,500 pardon cases, surpassing the majority of presidents' records during the same period.

An analyst from the Council on Foreign Relations in New York released a report in June indicating that lobbying and consulting firms associated with Trump charge wealthy clients up to $5 million to assist in delivering pardon requests to the president. The report describes the growing economic system behind pardons, where political connections and financial resources determine the outcomes of pardons.

Previously, Binance founder CZ was pardoned after serving 4 months for money laundering, and Trump claimed not to know him, prompting critics to question whether Trump's pardon system has devolved into a commodity of privilege, where wealth and connections dictate who can receive clemency. In response, the White House stated that before Trump signed the pardon for CZ, the matter underwent the most serious consideration and thorough review process.