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Attack target 2
Tier 1 carried by a primary record
Corroborated 2+ independent news desks
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Oct 24, 2025 Trump commuted George Santos's sentence a second time as reported later in the week Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
Restated confirmation of the commutation eliminated restitution obligations to fraud victims, reinforcing use of clemency to benefit political loyalists.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Associated Press · NPR · BBC · PBS · NBC News
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump commutes sentence of former Representative George Santos — Trump commuted the sentence of former Representative George Santos (R-NY), ending his seven-year sentence for fraud after only three months served and removing his obligation to pay $373,749.97 in restitution to his victims. Trump has pardoned or commuted sentences for more than 1,600 people, far exceeding typical presidential clemency. Trump's social media post stated: "Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!"
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 40 – 2025-10-18–2025-10-24
wk40_PA_014
Oct 23, 2025 Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, convicted of money-laundering violations tied to terrorist financing Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
A pardon for a convicted financial criminal with business ties to the Trump family's crypto venture raises questions of self-enrichment through clemency power.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
BBC · PBS · CNBC · The Washington Post · NBC News
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump pardoned cryptocurrency executive Changpeng Zhao — President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, co-founder and former CEO of Binance, on October 23. Zhao had pleaded guilty in 2023 to money laundering, resigned from Binance, paid a $50 million fine, and served a four-month prison sentence. The U.S. government had stated Zhao "caused significant harm to U.S. national security" by allowing terrorist groups like Hamas to move millions of dollars. Trump stated he knew little about Zhao and believed the prosecution was a "Biden witch hunt," citing his support for the cryptocurrency industry.
- Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao — Trump announced a full and unconditional pardon for Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance cryptocurrency exchange, who pleaded guilty in 2023 to money laundering, paid a $50 million fine, and served nearly four months in prison. Binance paid a $4.3 billion penalty. In May 2025, Binance accepted USD1 stablecoin from the Trump family's World Liberty Financial crypto venture as payment for a $2 billion investment, enabling World Liberty Financial to retain tens of millions in annual profits. The pardon enables Zhao to return to business operations.
- Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao — Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the convicted founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, following months of lobbying efforts by Zhao to boost the Trump family's own crypto company. The DOJ had argued Zhao's company undermined U.S. sanctions against Iran. Zhao hired Teresa Guillen, who also represents special envoy Steve Witkoff's son, and co-counsel Ches McDowell, a hunting companion of Donald Trump Jr. When asked why he pardoned Zhao, Trump said he did not know which person that was and that Zhao was "recommended by a lot of people."
- Trump pardons Binance founder convicted of money laundering — Donald Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, who was convicted of laundering money for terrorist organizations. This action raises ethical concerns regarding the influence of personal interests in presidential pardons.
- Trump pardons Binance founder CZ, convicted of anti-money laundering violations — President Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, on October 23, 2025. Zhao had pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws; the Department of Justice stated his conduct "allowed money to flow to terrorists, cybercriminals, and child abusers" through Binance. Zhao served four months in prison and agreed to step down as CEO. The pardon was announced publicly on October 23.
- Binance founder receives pardon after $2 billion transaction with Trump-linked cryptocurrency project — Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Binance founder and CEO, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to willfully failing to maintain anti-money laundering programs, allowing funds to flow to terrorists and cybercriminals. After serving four months in prison, Binance conducted a $2 billion transaction in May 2025 with a UAE investment fund using USD1, a stablecoin created by World Liberty Financial (WLF), in which Trump and family own approximately 38%. Binance provided technical infrastructure and promotion. On October 24, Trump pardoned CZ, who had hired a Trump Jr. associate for $450,000 to lobby for executive relief.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 40 – 2025-10-18–2025-10-24
wk40_PA_013