US President Donald Trump on Friday issued pardons for a total of 11 people, including nine convicted of violating the Clean Air Act by bypassing emissions controls on vehicles.
Among those pardoned is the former business partner of disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
What do we know about Trump’s emissions-related pardons?
according to The Associated PressThe White House provided a list that included 11 pardons. Nine people on the list faced charges of disabling emissions monitoring systems on vehicles or selling devices capable of bypassing emissions systems.
In a post on his Truth social platform earlier in the day, Trump talked about granting clemency to six people without revealing their identities.
Trump said the men were “persecuted” for “fixing their cars” under President Joe Biden’s administration.
On Monday, Trump signed a memorandum telling the Environmental Protection Agency that American citizens can get their vehicles fixed as they wish.
The president, when signing the memo, referenced a diesel mechanic he pardoned last year who disabled the emissions monitoring system.
In February, the Trump administration eliminated federal tailpipe emissions standards for cars and trucks because it reversed a key scientific finding from former President Barack Obama’s tenure that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health.
Trump pardons Abramoff’s partner
Also included in the list of presidential pardons on Friday was Adam Kidon, who now serves as president of Empire Workforce Solutions. Kidon was jailed in 2006 for wire fraud along with former American millionaire and lobbyist Abramoff.
Kidan pleaded guilty in 2005 to fraud and conspiracy related to the purchase of a fleet of gambling boats.
He was released from jail in 2009.
in march this year newsday The local daily reported that Kidan was among those hosting a fundraiser at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort for the Long Island Republican congressional candidate.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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