Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge

Spread the love

President Donald Trump issued a proclamation providing pardons for a slew of people accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential elections, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows.

The proclamation claims it “ends a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people” following the 2020 election, in which former President Joe Biden ousted Trump.

The president’s pardon grants “full, complete, and unconditional pardons to all United State citizens for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of Presidential electors, whether or not recognized by and State or State official, in connection with the 2020 Presidential Election, as well for any conduct relating to their efforts to expose voting fraud and vulnerabilities” as part of the election.

The pardon, signed Friday, names 77 people, including Giuliani, Meadows, John Eastman and Sidney Powell. Trump notes that the pardon doesn’t include himself.

Meadows served as the president’s chief of staff during his first administration, while Powell and Eastman served as attorneys for Trump.

To be sure, none of the those pardoned have been charged with federal crimes; however, some have faced charges in states such as Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Arizona. The pardon doesn’t protect people charged with crimes in those states.

Ed Martin, the U.S. Pardon Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, made the announcement Monday morning.

Martin posted on his personal X account, “No MAGA left behind.”

In a separate post, he explained the reasoning behind the pardons, saying the Biden administration had targeted the people.

“A very little bit behind the curtain: When I began as U.S. Pardon Attorney, POTUS encouraged us to look at two categories of Americans especially: First, those who needed and deserved clemency, especially long serving inmates who are ready to be released. Second, he wanted us to look at those people who had been targeted by the Biden administration. The targeted is a huge group of Americans,” Martin posted on X. “We’ve been working hard to find them and one group that jumped up right away is the [2020] alternate electors and their affiliates who were targeted by Jack Smith and others. Gen. Bondi and DAG Blanche pushed us to do it right and fast. There are many more Americans who Biden targeted. And we’re working to help them.”

On the evening of Trump’s second inauguration in January, the president pardoned about 1,500 individuals accused of being involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riots.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax

Illinois quick hits: Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax Arlington Heights village trustees have approved a one-percent tax on groceries. Since Gov. J.B. Pritzker...
Casey Meeting Aug 18.1

Casey Joins Land Bank, Secures EPA Grant for Sewer Planning

Article Summary: The City of Casey has taken two major steps to address housing and infrastructure challenges, officially joining the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority and securing a state grant...
Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their...
Rose-Penrod-1755598599

Rose G. (Crandall) Penrod

Rose G. (Crandall) Penrod, 105, of Casey, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 7:53 p.m. at Heartland Manor & Rehabilitation in Casey. She was born on October...
Casey Meeting Aug 18.3

Casey Targets Two Dilapidated Properties for Remediation

Article Summary: The Casey City Council has authorized legal action against two properties deemed "dangerous and unsafe," signaling a continued focus on addressing blight. The council approved separate resolutions for...
Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economic issues are front and center for Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois. Former Illinois GOP Chairman...
Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois student leaders serving on state higher education boards will now receive $500-per-semester scholarships under a...
Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion A new round of construction has begun at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Airline...
Newsom files FOIA request on border patrol's appearance

Newsom files FOIA request on border patrol’s appearance

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is submitting a Freedom of Information Act request for details regarding the Trump administration’s decision to send U.S. Customs and...
Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate

Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Energy prices and clean energy policy took center stage during a senate energy and public utilities...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs crypto regulations

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs crypto regulations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs crypto regulations Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed two laws to regulate cryptocurrency. Senate Bill 1797 requires cryptocurrency companies to...
Trucking industry leader: New law may drive business out of Illinois

Trucking industry leader: New law may drive business out of Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A trucking industry leader says more businesses may leave Illinois after the signing of Senate Bill 328....
DEA targets drug smuggling corridors in work with Mexico

DEA targets drug smuggling corridors in work with Mexico

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Drug Enforcement Administration officials plan to work with their counterparts in Mexico to target the gatekeepers of the smuggling corridors between the two nations. The...
Planned restart of California oil production faces legal challenges

Planned restart of California oil production faces legal challenges

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Oil and gas production resumed on May 15 that had been out of service for 10 years after an oil spill off the California coast,...
Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami

Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami

By Alan Wooten | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Passenger train service involving routes to Chicago, Miami and New York is on hold because of a...