Overview
- Lawmakers sent letters Thursday to more than a dozen clemency recipients, setting a May 22 deadline for records tied to how they won relief.
- They requested contracts showing payments to lawyers, lobbyists, or influencers, communications with federal officials, and any donations to Trump or affiliated groups.
- The inquiry names high-profile recipients including crypto executive Changpeng Zhao, Nikola founder Trevor Milton, and nursing home operator Joseph Schwartz.
- Democrats say Trump’s clemency wiped away large restitution owed to victims, citing cases such as Milton’s roughly $680 million and David Gentile’s $15.5 million.
- The White House denies any impropriety and says it runs a robust review process, while Democrats note the requests are voluntary until they gain subpoena power.