Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) , Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution , alongside U.S. Representative Dave Min (D-CA-47) , Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Anti-Corruption Task Force , escalated the lawmakers’ ongoing oversight investigation into whether President Trump’s clemency process was influenced by money, political connections, lobbyists, intermediaries, or personal access to the President and his associates. The lawmakers sent four letters as part of their continuing oversight investigation into President Donald Trump’s executive clemency actions taken since January 20, 2025. The letters were sent to the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, the White House Office of Records Management, the White House Pardon Czar, and the United States Secret Service. The offices have been asked to provide the requested records by Friday, July 24, 2026. “Presidential clemency is one of the most serious and consequential powers granted to the President. It cannot be allowed to become a vehicle for rewarding political allies, wealthy donors, fraudsters, or insiders with access to the White House,” said Senator Welch and Rep. Min . “The American people deserve to know whether President Trump’s pardon process was conducted in the interest of justice, or whether money, influence, lobbyists, or personal connections played a role. Preserving and producing these records is a necessary step to ensure the truth is not buried, destroyed, or hidden from public accountability.” The requested records include, where applicable: Petitions, applications, submission materials, or other materials from individuals seeking clemency or their attorneys; Letters of support or other materials provided by third parties in support of clemency requests; Case files, investigative and vetting materials, case-related correspondence, and staff notations; Communications between relevant office staff and individuals seeking clemency or their attorneys; Internal communications among DOJ, White House, or Executive Office staff regarding the identified clemency cases; Recommendations prepared by staff, including recommendations not formally sent to the White House or President; and White House visitor access logs, Worker and Visitor Entry System records, comparable access-entry records, and related data that could reasonably be associated with meetings or visits regarding clemency matters. Last month, Senator Welch and Rep. Min sent letters to 17 individuals who received pardons or commutations under circumstances that warrant further congressional scrutiny, including several individuals connected to major fraud schemes, financial crimes, and high-profile political or financial relationships tied to President Trump and his associates. The earlier letter sought information regarding the clemency process, including whether financial contributions, lobbyists, intermediaries, or personal connections played a role in securing presidential clemency. A full list of the letters can be found here . ###