{"id":2599885,"date":"2026-05-07T11:27:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-investigate-alleged-pay-to-play-trump-pardon-scheme\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T11:29:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:29:07","slug":"democrats-investigate-alleged-pay-to-play-trump-pardon-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-investigate-alleged-pay-to-play-trump-pardon-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats investigate alleged \u2018pay-to-play\u2019 Trump pardon scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocrats-investigate-alleged-pay-to-play-trump-pardon-scheme%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599885&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Democratic lawmakers say they\u2019re investigating whether corruption or \u201cpay-to-play\u201d influence affected president Donald Trump\u2019s pardon process. Sen. Peter Welch and Reps. Dave Min and Raul Ruiz have sent a letter to numerous recipients,asking them to respond by May 22 with details about why they were pardoned-specifically seeking records of any donations to Trump or his affiliated groups,as well as communications between the recipients (or their representatives) and federal officials. They point to allegations and cases involving figures such as Changpeng Zhao, Joseph Schwartz, Paul Walczak, Timothy Leiweke, and Trevor Milton, including claims of political connections, business ties, and payments in connection with some pardons.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Congressional <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\">Democrats<\/a> on Thursday revealed they are investigating whether corruption has played a role in President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> pardon process. <\/p>\n<p>Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Reps. Dave Min (D-CA) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) sent a letter to more than a dozen recipients of executive clemency requesting details about Trump\u2019s move to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pardons\/\">pardon<\/a> them by May 22, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/trump-pardon-recipients-democrats-congressional-investigation-pay-to-play\/\">according to<\/a> CBS News.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4558610\/muriel-bowser-promises-changes-mpd-crime-data-release-process\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bowser promises changes to MPD\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/muriel-bowser-promises-changes-to-mpds-crime-data-release-process\/\" title=\"Muriel Bowser promises changes to MPD&#039;s crime data release process\">crime data release process<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4558361\/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-note-cellmate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Possible Epstein suicide note unsealed by judge: \u2018NO FUN \u2014 NOT WORTH IT\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4557194\/doj-prosecute-assailants-immigration-enforcement-every-single-time-blanche\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ will prosecute people who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blanche-stands-firm-on-prosecuting-those-who-assault-ice-cbp\/\" title=\"Blanche stands firm on prosecuting those who assault ICE, CBP\">assault federal law enforcement \u2018<\/a>every single time\u2019: Blanche<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>\u201cIf they don\u2019t respond, they run the risk of highlighting themselves \u2014 of being the subjects of future congressional investigations and creating more of a target on their backs for potential further criminal prosecutions,\u201d Min said, adding that the idea that people can \u201cget around the justice system\u201d after being convicted \u201cgets to the heart of what is wrong with America right now under this administration.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, nursing home operator Joseph Schwartz, healthcare executive Paul Walczak, Oak View Group co-founder Timothy Leiweke, and entrepreneur Trevor Milton are among figures whom Democratic lawmakers believe may have received favorable treatment from Trump due to their personal support for him or insider connections to his allies.<\/p>\n<p>The Democrats are investigating whether the pardons were driven by \u201cpay-to-play\u201d dynamics, according to the outlet, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4364892\/trump-sordid-pardon-economy\/\">amid allegations<\/a> that they were quid pro quo deals.\u00a0The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>contacted the White House for comment. <\/p>\n<p>Walczak, a Florida healthcare executive convicted of tax evasion whom Trump pardoned in April 2025, is the son of a prominent GOP donor. Zhao, who pleaded guilty to money laundering charges and received a pardon in November, held close business ties to the Trump family company World Liberty Financial. Before his pardon, Leiweke <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3906618\/trump-pardon-tim-leiweke-doj-indictment\/\">was represented<\/a> in court by Trump ally and former South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy. Milton <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/2025\/12\/19\/donald-trump-pardons-trevor-milton-nikola\/\">donated money<\/a> to Trump\u2019s 2016, 2020, and 2024 campaigns, according to the <em>Washington Post<\/em>, but has denied that it was tied to his pardon. <\/p>\n<p>Schwartz, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-to-pardon-reality-tv-stars-todd-and-julie-chrisley\/\" title=\"... to ... reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley\">nursing home executive<\/a> who pleaded guilty to a $38 million tax fraud scheme, reportedly paid lobbyists $960,000 to secure him a presidential pardon. The pardon allegedly followed payments to people in GOP circles close to Trump, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/03\/06\/us\/politics\/schwartz-trump-pardon-industry.html\">according to<\/a> the <em>New York Times<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p>Welch, Min, and Ruiz are requesting details from the pardon recipients, including records showing any donations to Trump or groups affiliated with him. They are also requesting records of communications between recipients, or those acting on their behalf, and federal officials. <\/p>\n<p>The scale and nature of Trump\u2019s pardons have differed from those of his predecessors. Brian Kalt, a professor at the Michigan State University College of Law, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3434637\/trump-second-term-pardon-powers-unprecedented-manner\/\">previously told<\/a> the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that Trump is relying on a swifter, more personable process that is less reliant on the Justice Department\u2019s Office of the Pardon Attorney, which has traditionally been used for acts of clemency.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3424070\/why-trump-pardon-todd-julie-chrisley\/\"><strong>WHO ARE REALITY TV STARS TODD AND JULIE CHRISLEY, AND WHY DID TRUMP PARDON THEM? <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Some of Trump\u2019s most notable acts of clemency came last year, when he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/01\/granting-pardons-and-commutation-of-sentences-for-certain-offenses-relating-to-the-events-at-or-near-the-united-states-capitol-on-january-6-2021\/\">pardoned hundreds<\/a> of people charged with offenses related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, saying the executive order \u201cends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats investigate whether Trump\u2019s pardons involved corruption or pay-to-play<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2599886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ap-18116774472699-scaled.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[70375,3685,3976,12559,3634],"class_list":["post-2599885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-corruption-allegations","tag-democrats","tag-investigation","tag-pardons","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ap-18116774472699-scaled.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599885"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599889,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599885\/revisions\/2599889"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}