Oct 30, 2026 · 34 min
Trump’s pardon system turns access into a political marketplace
The Art of the Pardon: How Trump Turned Clemency Into a Business
The episode examines whether presidential clemency has become a channel for influence and wealth, with consequences for victims, restitution and public trust.
- 1Trump shifted clemency from a Justice Department process toward a White House-centered system shaped by personal and political connections.
- 2Lawyers, lobbyists and consultants marketed access to wealthy defendants, including Joseph Schwartz, who received a pardon after paying nearly a million dollars to lobbyists.
- 3The pardon economy resonates with voters because it embodies broader concerns about transactional government and money-making by Trump’s allies.
Don't miss
Joseph Schwartz receives a pardon after paying nearly a million dollars to lobbyists, while people harmed by his nursing homes are left with limited restitution.
The brief
Ken Vogel explains how Trump’s approach moved clemency away from the Justice Department’s traditional process and toward personal relationships, political loyalty and White House control.
The episode contrasts early criminal justice reform, including Jared Kushner’s role, with later pardons for allies and donors and blanket clemency for January 6 defendants.
Elizabeth Fago’s successful effort to secure a pardon for her son illustrates how family connections can provide direct access to Trump’s clemency system.
Joseph Schwartz paid nearly a million dollars to lobbyists while seeking clemency and ultimately received a pardon, while people harmed by his nursing homes faced limited restitution.
The Julio Herrera Velutini case raises questions about money and access after his family allegedly paid Alina Habba’s company more than $50 million, without direct evidence of a quid pro quo.
The pardon economy has become a symbol of transactional government, helping explain why corruption concerns are gaining traction with voters ahead of the midterm elections.
Weekly email
State of the Pod, every Monday
The week's most-discussed names and stories from podcasts, with the moments behind them. Free, five minutes, unsubscribe in one click.