Trump pardons former Tennessee lawmaker Brian Kelsey

Why it matters: The pardon is a major victory for Kelsey, who reported to prison for a 21-month sentence on Feb. 24.

• The Tennessee Republican pleaded guilty in the case in 2022 and then unsuccessfully tried to reverse that plea.

State of play: Trump gave Kelsey a "full and unconditional pardon," according to a copy of the document provided to Axios by his lawyer Joy​​​​ Longnecker.

Catch up quick: Kelsey had been one of the Tennessee GOP's rising stars before he was accused of illegally funneling money from his state campaign to an ill-fated congressional bid in 2016.

• Kelsey forcefully denied the allegations when he was indicted in 2021, calling the case a "witch hunt."

What he's saying: "God used Donald Trump to save me from the weaponized Biden DOJ," Kelsey said in a statement that echoed Trump's complaints about his own cases.

• "Like President Trump, I've seen how the justice system can be weaponized to target conservatives who challenge the status quo."