CBS finds most second-term Trump clemency actions were not routed through the Justice Department
Reporting and findings
- reported
CBS News reported that about 70% of Trump's second-term clemency actions had not been routed through the Justice Department process, rising to 92% when January 6 cases were included. CBS also reported broker fees as high as $3 million and quoted Brett Tolman saying he expected to handle 40 or 50 clemency cases. The White House said it had a robust review process and that paying lobbyists was a waste of money; former pardon attorney Ed Martin said he had not seen a quid pro quo.
- CBS News: Pardon brokers offer to put pressure on the president, at sky-high costsDOJ-routing analysis, reported fee range, Tolman account and official responses
- CBS News / 60 Minutes: Paid brokers tout ties to Trump's orbit to lobby for presidential pardonsBroadcast discussion of routing percentages and denials
Summary and current status
CBS analysis published; White House and former pardon attorney disputed a transactional system
People and organizations
- Brett TolmanBroker who described direct White House submissions
- Donald J. TrumpPresident and final clemency decision-maker
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. TrumpClemency advocate who described sending petitions directly to the White HouseBrett Tolman
- Donald J. TrumpExercised the clemency power examined in the documented paid-access marketTrump clemency advocacy: six-figure fees, DOJ routing and investigations
Money trail
otherReported clemency-broker fee ceiling$3 million - Measured subject
- Clemency seekers quoted broker fees