Trump pardons Giuliani, 76 others accused of bid to overturn 2020 election
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Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in NYC in April. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
President Trump pardoned Rudy Giuliani and 76 other allies accused of attempting to interfere in the 2020 presidential election results, U.S. pardon attorney Ed Martin said late Sunday.
The big picture: An undated document that Martin posted to his X account shows "full, complete and unconditional" pardons for Giuliani, John Eastman, ex-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Sidney Powell. But Politico notes that none of those named were facing federal charges and presidents have no power to pardon state crimes.
- Many of those were charged in connection with investigations into alleged "fake" electors plots in swing states including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada.
Zoom in: "This proclamation ends a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people following the 2020 Presidential Election and continues the process of national reconciliation," states the document that Martin posted.
- "This pardon does not apply to the president of the United States."
What they're saying: "These great Americans were persecuted and put through hell by the Biden Administration for challenging an election, which is the cornerstone of democracy," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an emailed statement.
- "Getting prosecuted for challenging results is something that happens in communist Venezuela, not the United States of America, and President Trump is putting an end to the Biden Regime's communist tactics once and for all."
- Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on suggestions that the pardons are largely symbolic, as they concern state and not federal charges.
- The Justice Department referred Axios to the White House for comment.
- In his posts on X, pardon attorney Martin wrote, "No MAGA left behind" and "Important pardon of Alternate Electors of 2020!!"
State of play: Trump was indicted along with Giuliani, Meadows, Eastman, Powell and 14 others in 2023 by an Atlanta-area grand jury over alleged efforts to overturn the state's 2020 election results.
- Those men pleaded not guilty, but Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor charges relating to efforts to interfere with the 2020 election and was sentenced to six years' probation.
- Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis last year was disqualified from prosecuting the case, but it wasn't dismissed. A judge set a Nov. 14 deadline for another prosecutor to be assigned.
- In Arizona, Giuliani was one of 18 people indicted over alleged attempts to reverse Trump's 2020 election loss to former President Biden. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Go deeper: How the "big lie" about the 2020 election spread
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
