Presidential pardon stories

Jul 6, 2026

Federal Judge Rules Trump's Jan. 6 Pardons Don't Apply to Alleged Pipe Bomber Brian Cole Jr.

A federal judge ruled Monday that President Donald Trump's sweeping clemency for January 6 participants does not cover Brian Cole Jr., a Virginia man accused of planting pipe bombs outside RNC and DNC headquarters the night before the Capitol riot. The judge determined the pardons were expressly limited to those convicted for actions on Jan. 6, 2021.

Jul 6, 2026·5 sources

Jul 4, 2026

Trump pardons 11 people, including 9 convicted of Clean Air Act violations

President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned 11 individuals, most of whom were convicted of violating federal environmental law by disabling or modifying truck emissions controls. The pardons were issued on the eve of July 4th celebrations.

Jul 4, 2026·4 sources

Jun 6, 2026

Trump Pardons Former Rep. Stephen Buyer Convicted of Insider Trading

President Trump pardoned former Indiana Republican Representative Stephen Buyer, who was convicted of securities fraud for insider trading in 2018 related to T-Mobile's merger with Sprint.

Jun 6, 2026·1 source

Top claims

▪Judge Amir Ali noted that President Donald Trump's pardon was expressly limited to individuals who had been convicted of offenses, whereas Brian Cole Jr. had not yet been charged or convicted when the pardon was issued.
▪A federal judge denied Brian Cole Jr.'s request for pre-trial release on January 2, 2026, ruling that he posed too great a danger to the public.
▪The Department of Justice asserted that its interpretation of the pardon proclamation is entitled to deference as the Executive Branch agency charged with administering it.