Pardons for people who bypassed car emissions controls

US President Donald Trump pardoned nine people who helped disable emission control systems in vehicles.

During his second term, Trump issued numerous pardons, especially to his allies, public figures, and those deemed politically aligned.

Using the presidency’s far-reaching ability to unilaterally grant pardons and commute sentences is one way the Republican’s return to office has enabled him to make broad use of executive authority.

“It is my great honor to have signed the pardon for six individuals who were persecuted by the Biden Administration and jailed or imprisoned for ‘fixing their cars,’” Trump wrote on the Truth Social media network.

“I AM RELEASING THEM ALL NOW!” he said.

In a list provided by the White House, Trump pardoned 11 people, including nine who faced charges related to violating the Clean Air Act by disabling emissions monitoring systems in vehicles or selling devices that enabled emissions systems to be bypassed.

On Monday, Trump signed a memo to the Environmental Protection Agency saying Americans can repair their own vehicles as they see fit. He cited a diesel mechanic he forgave last year who disabled emissions monitoring systems.

Trump on Friday also issued a pardon for Adam Kidan, a former business partner of lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Kidan pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy in 2005 related to the purchase of a gambling boat fleet and was sentenced to nearly six years in prison in 2006.

The case was part of a broader investigation into the early 2000s lobbying scandal involving Abramoff, Capitol Hill, the Interior Department and members of President George W. Bush’s administration.

In March, Newsday reported that Kidan was among those who hosted a fundraiser for a Long Island Republican congressional candidate at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.