Trump Grants Clemency To 11 People On Eve Of Independence Day, SBF Left Off List

President Donald Trump signed a new clemency order on July 3, pardoning 11 individuals just ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Sam Bankman Fried, the FTX founder and one of the most closely watched potential pardon candidates in the crypto world, did not appear on the released list.

Nine Pardons Tied To Vehicle Emissions Violations

Most of those pardoned, nine people in total, were connected to Clean Air Act violations involving disabled vehicle emissions systems or the sale of devices used to bypass those systems. Trump described them as victims of “persecution by the Biden administration,” saying on social media that they had been jailed or faced prison time simply for “fixing their car.” He added, “I am setting them all free right now.” The list also included a former business associate of lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Bigger Pardon Plans Still Pending

The announcement lands on July 4, as the country marks its 250th anniversary and Trump attends related events nationwide. The White House has floated the idea of a larger, 250-person pardon tied to the anniversary, though that plan hasn’t been finalized. Markets and observers are watching closely for any further remarks from Trump today.

A Centralized, Personal Clemency Process

Pardons under this administration move through a small team, White House Special Counsel David Warrington, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Pardon Prosecutor Ed Martin, before reaching Trump for a final decision. Analysts note Trump has taken an unusually direct role in clemency decisions, often favoring allies and politically aligned figures throughout his second term.