Full Breakdown
Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm Mo Strategies Turns to Pardon Advocacy
6/24/2026, 9:27:22 PM
Mo Strategies Secures $500,000 Pardon-Lobbying Contract
Federal lobbying disclosures filed in late May show that Mo Strategies, an Indianapolis-based firm staffed by former Trump campaign and administration officials, signed a contract with the Virginia law firm Blessinger Legal to lobby the White House and the Justice Department on immigration-related and other clemency matters. The filing lists $500,000 in income for the single reporting period, marking one of the largest pardon-related disclosures in the Senate’s database.
Surge in Clemency and the Rise of a “Cottage Industry”
During President Donald Trump’s second term, the Justice Department’s pardon office reported a record volume of clemency applications. The administration’s frequent use of pardons for allies and politically connected individuals created a market for lobbyists, lawyers, and consultants who advise on the legal and political pathways to presidential clemency. Mo Strategies describes this niche as a rapidly expanding “cottage industry.”
Principal Actors and Notable Clients
- Marty Obst – President of Mo Strategies, former senior adviser to Vice President Mike Pence and senior strategist on the 2016 and 2020 Trump campaigns.
- Robert Goad – Former special assistant to the president on domestic policy in the first Trump administration.
- Blessinger Legal – Immigration law firm founded by attorney Eileen Blessing, which handles removal proceedings, employment-based visas, and criminal-court components for green-card holders.
- Other disclosed clients include Tencent America (U.S. subsidiary of Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent), NextEra Energy (Florida), Team Hemp (hemp industry), and the Serb Republic.
- The largest prior pardon-related lobbying effort disclosed $960,000 for Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl on behalf of nursing-home operator Joseph Schwartz, who received a Trump pardon after serving three months of a three-year sentence.
Financial Scale of Pardon Lobbying
- $500,000 earned from Blessinger Legal in a single filing period.
- Mo Strategies has received as much as $530,000 per filing period from other clients.
- Over two dozen lobbying registrations have been filed for pardon-related work during the second Trump term, though only a small fraction preceded an actual clemency decision.
- The Justice Department reports a “record number of applications for clemency,” underscoring the demand for guidance on the process.
Government Positions on Clemency and Lobbying
The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, stated that President Trump “finds it detestable that anyone would even attempt to profit off pardons” and emphasized a “rigorous review process” before applications reach the president. A Justice Department spokesperson, speaking anonymously, said the pardon office makes recommendations that are “consistent, unbiased, and uphold the rule of law” and affirmed that “there has been no departure from this longstanding process.”
Democratic Oversight and Pay-to-Play Concerns
Senate and House Democrats have opened investigations into potential “pay-to-play” dynamics surrounding Trump’s clemency decisions, citing the Schwartz pardon and other large lobbying disclosures. Lawmakers have indicated that, should they gain a majority in the 2024 midterms, oversight of the pardon system will become a priority. Obst acknowledged the prospect, noting he is “preparing for potential oversight from Congress” and will ensure future engagements “pass muster.”
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
- Sources differ on the exact number of pardon-related lobbying registrations, citing “over two dozen” versus a “tiny fraction” that led to clemency.
- The DOJ spokesperson’s identity remains undisclosed, limiting verification of the agency’s statements.
- No public data confirm how many of Mo Strategies’ lobbying efforts have resulted in successful pardons, leaving the effectiveness of the firm’s guidance unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're one of the fastest-growing firms in D.C., and are helping them navigate the landscape and process,” — Marty Obst, President, Mo Strategies
- “ Obst told CBS News, "The Biden administration really expanded government reach, sometimes unfairly.” — Marty Obst, Mo Strategies
- “finds it detestable that anyone would even attempt to profit off pardons” — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
- “has received a record number of applications for clemency” — Justice Department spokesperson (anonymous)
Outlook
With congressional elections approaching, Mo Strategies is likely to monitor legislative developments closely. The firm expects continued demand for clemency guidance, while heightened oversight could reshape how lobbying firms interact with the White House and Justice Department on pardon matters.
