Special Poll
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to retake office, he will regain the power to issue presidential pardons, a tool he used sparingly in his first term with only 144 pardons granted. However, Trump has indicated he may take a more expansive approach this time, potentially extending clemency to both allies and controversial figures.
Steve Bannon, convicted for contempt of Congress related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, and former adviser Peter Navarro, who recently completed a prison term for defying a congressional subpoena, are among those who could receive pardons. In addition, Trump may consider pardoning his co-defendants from the classified documents case, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, as their legal battles continue.
Trump has also pledged to review cases related to Jan. 6 rioters, with promises to pardon individuals he describes as “political prisoners.” However, presidential pardon powers extend only to federal crimes, leaving many Trump allies facing state charges without relief.
Other potential clemency cases include Hunter Biden, with Trump leaving the door open despite criticizing him, and high-profile figures like WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblower Edward Snowden. Trump has hinted at a more lenient stance toward these cases, signaling possible pardons.
While some figures, such as George Santos and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, have downplayed or avoided discussions of pardons, the prospect of Trump’s return to broad clemency powers has raised speculation about how far he might go in his second term. This renewed authority could mark a significant chapter in Trump’s use of presidential pardons.