Trump pardons 11, including nine Clean Air Act violators

President Donald Trump announced that he has granted presidential pardons to nine individuals who had been convicted of violations of a major federal environmental statute. The pardons, issued under the President’s constitutional authority, relieve the defendants of their remaining sentences and restore certain civil rights. The convictions were related to breaches of the Clean Water Act, a key piece of legislation that regulates discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters.

In addition to the environmental cases, the President also pardoned a former associate of convicted felon and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The individual, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, had faced federal charges stemming from Abramoff’s widespread corruption and lobbying scandals. The pardon removes the remaining legal penalties and restores the person’s eligibility to hold public office.

The administration has not released a statement explaining the rationale behind the pardons, and the decisions have drawn scrutiny from environmental groups and lawmakers who argue that the clemency may undermine enforcement of federal environmental regulations. The pardons are expected to be effective immediately, and the recipients will be able to resume their normal civic and professional activities.