Martin, the Pardon Attorney at the US Department of Justice, announced that President Trump has pardoned multiple political allies, including former New York City Mayor Giuliani, who also served as Trump’s lawyer. These individuals were accused of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 US presidential election.
In this pardon order regarding actions "related to the 2020 presidential election" or "efforts to expose election fraud," Trump stated, "This pardon does not apply to the President of the United States."
Martin published on social media platform X a list of more than 70 pardoned individuals, including Giuliani and Powell, both former Trump attorneys, as well as Trump’s former White House Chief of Staff Meadows. They received a "full, complete, and unconditional" pardon.
Those on the pardon list were involved in plans to alter the elector slates in swing states such as Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan—all states that President Biden won in the 2020 election. The scheme was supported by Trump and his allies, and encouraged public protests that ultimately escalated into the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
This batch of pardonees also includes attorney Eastman, who strategized to block the certification of election results, as well as longtime Trump advisor Epstein.
Presidential pardons only apply to federal prosecutions and do not cover state or local charges. Although no one named in this four-page pardon order had been federally prosecuted, the pardon can prevent future federal prosecution by authorities.