President Donald Trump has granted controversial pardons to a range of figures including reality TV stars, former lawmakers, a sheriff, and a drug trafficker — many with ties to political support or donations. Legal experts say Trump’s approach to pardons is unusually bold and politically motivated, with critics warning it blurs the line between justice and favoritism. From the Chrisley TV couple to Capitol riot participants, Trump’s “patronage pardoning” is drawing intense scrutiny, with some calling it a new, troubling use of presidential power.
