Story perspectives

Newsom Calls Trump 'Personification of Fraud' Amid Pardons

1/26/2026

Center

Newsom Critiques Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom updated his fraud tracker to include 13 individuals pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump, Todd and Julie Chrisley among them.
Newsom called Trump the personification of fraud and contrasted California's declining crime rates with his associations.
Trump has granted clemency to over 1,600 individuals, including Changpeng Zhao of Binance and former Rep. George Santos, while Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, seeks a commutation aligned with his policies.

Right

Trump Grants Clemency

U.S. President Donald Trump granted clemency to former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez, who faced federal campaign finance charges.
The White House has said the prosecution was politically motivated.
This pardon, along with others, has reignited debates about presidential clemency's role in justice and accountability.
Trump's early pardons contrast with typical late-term clemency patterns, drawing significant attention and criticism.

History

Historical Context

President Donald Trump's pardon of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio in 2017, following his conviction for criminal contempt, reignited debates over the politicization of clemency. Historically, presidential pardons have often sparked controversy, from George Washington's Whiskey Rebellion amnesty in 1795 to Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon in 1974, raising ongoing concerns about accountability and public trust in the justice system.

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Newsom Critiques Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom updated his fraud tracker to include 13 individuals pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump, Todd and Julie Chrisley among them.
Newsom called Trump the personification of fraud and contrasted California's declining crime rates with his associations.
Trump has granted clemency to over 1,600 individuals, including Changpeng Zhao of Binance and former Rep. George Santos, while Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, seeks a commutation aligned with his policies.

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