President Donald Trump’s Return to Power and the Surge in Pardon Requests

President Donald Trump’s return to power has sparked a rush of white-collar criminals, crypto figures, and convicted politicians seeking presidential clemency.

With Trump’s history of criticizing the U.S. justice system, many convicts see this as an opportunity to portray themselves as victims within a flawed system.

Among those appealing for mercy are Sam Bankman-Fried, Bob Menendez, Roger Ver, and Joby Weeks, alongside a range of fraudsters and tax evaders. Some are tapping into Trump’s grievances, while others are trading political favors for freedom, according to a recent editorial from Politico.

Crypto Felons Looking for Trump’s Mercy

The crypto community is particularly attentive to Trump’s pardon choices. Trump’s pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, indicated his interest in crypto-related cases, prompting other crypto figures to hope for similar outcomes.

Joby Weeks, a Bitcoin miner who pleaded guilty in 2020 to tax evasion, fired his high-powered attorney last week, opting to represent himself. He submitted a motion for dismissal, invoking Trump’s rallying cry:

> “President Trump said to ‘FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!’ And so, I am.”

Speaking from house arrest, Weeks expresses hope for Trump’s intervention, stating, “It would be great to have Trump step in and say, ‘Enough is enough.’”

Roger Ver, known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” is also seeking a pardon after being indicted in April 2024 for tax evasion. He is utilizing a media strategy rather than a legal one and recently stated:

> “To be honest, I think they’re not really angry about taxes at all. I think they’re just angry about my lack of obedience and lack of kissing their ring.”

Ver’s supporters have initiated a #FreeRogerVer campaign, including a petition and endorsements from Trump allies.

High-Profile Cases

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, is also in the mix. Sentenced to 25 years in prison, he is exploring clemency options through his family and legal team. His criticisms are aimed at Judge Lewis Kaplan, who oversaw his trial. He commented:

> “I know President Trump had a lot of frustrations with Judge Kaplan.”

Meanwhile, Bob Menendez, convicted of bribery, is seeking clemency. He has openly criticized Trump’s justice system despite being a Bitcoin opponent.

Local figures are also in the fray, including Trayon White, a former D.C. council member, who claims the FBI set him up amid his bribery charges.

Ekim Alptekin’s Unique Approach

Ekim Alptekin, a Turkish businessman under indictment, is offering information for clemency, alleging that Jim Biden and Sara Biden tried to influence his legal troubles in exchange for implicating Michael Flynn. He stated:

> “I would prefer the case to be dismissed. I’ll settle for a pardon for the sake of my family.”

George Santos Remains Quiet

George Santos, facing fraud charges, has not joined the pardon requests, stating he is not good at advocating for himself.

The wave of pardon requests has surged with Trump’s return to office; consultant Sam Mangel noted a dramatic increase in inquiries from two a year to two to four a day.

Trump’s new pardon czar, Alice Johnson, is now overseeing the growing list of potential beneficiaries. The fate of these applications remains uncertain, but more names are being added daily.