Granting Pardons for Certain Offenses Related to the 2020 Presidential Election

This proclamation grants a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to 78 named individuals for conduct related to alternate elector schemes and efforts to challenge the 2020 Presidential Election results, excluding President Trump himself. The Attorney General is directed to administer certificates of pardon through the Pardon Attorney.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 51071

Impact dates

Date TBD
Attorney General to administer and effectuate certificates of pardon

Key directives

Grant full, complete, and unconditional pardon to named individuals for conduct relating to 2020 Presidential Election alternate elector activities and election fraud claims
Attorney General shall administer and effectuate issuance of certificates of pardon through Pardon Attorney

Who is ordered

Attorney General · Department of Justice

Timeline

Immediate

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Near term (90d)

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Long term

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Risks & tensions

Creates tension with rule-of-law norms by pardoning individuals for conduct central to alleged election subversion
Vague scope: 'any conduct relating to' may create interpretive disputes about coverage
Exclusion of President Trump himself may invite questions about self-dealing or strategic timing
May undermine ongoing or future prosecutions and investigations related to January 6 and election interference