Many New York political figures have received President Donald Trump’s amnesty

In an ideal world, the power of the presidential pardon can override grave miscarriages of justice. However, it has also been used in recent years to spring a political ally or friend from prison or prevent investigations into family members, like when then-President Joe Biden pardoned members of his family. President Donald Trump, over his two terms, has pardoned many political figures in the New York political world, with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani among the latest batch. Here are some of the marquee names that Trump has either pardoned or commuted their sentence.

Rudy Giuliani

The former New York City mayor was pardoned on Nov. 7 for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. He was disbarred in New York, in part, for making false statements in federal court.

George Santos

The serial fabulist is free (and potentially leaving New York?) His seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft was commuted by the president last month.

Michael Grimm

Former Rep. Michael Grimm was pardoned in May for the tax fraud charges that led to his resignation from Congress. Grimm is now paralyzed from the chest down after falling off a horse last year.

Chris Collins

Former Rep. Chris Collins is on the comeback after being pardoned in 2020 for insider trading charges. He moved to a mansion in Florida, leaving Western New York behind, and is planning to run for Congress next year – plus he has a new book coming out next month.

Roger Stone

Political trickster Roger Stone was connected to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and sentenced to 40 months in federal prison. He had his sentence commuted and was pardoned, both in 2020.

Steve Bannon

A man of many shirts, Steve Bannon was pardoned as one of the final acts of Trump’s first term. Bannon had been accused of defrauding border wall investors, and recently said he thought he’d be going back to prison if Democrats win in 2026 and 2028.

Charles Kushner

The father of Trump’s former senior adviser Jared Kushner, Charles Kushner served two years in prison two decades ago for tax evasion and witness tampering. He was pardoned in 2020.

Douglas Jemal

Real estate developer Douglas Jemal, who has prominent ties to Western New York, received a last-minute pardon before Trump’s first term ended in 2021 for a 2006 fraud conviction.

Albert Pirro

The ex-husband of Jeanine Pirro, the former Westchester district attorney and current U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Albert Pirro was pardoned in 2021 for 34 counts of conspiracy and tax evasion.

Bernard Kerik

Bernard Kerik, the former New York City Police Department commissioner who died in May, was pardoned in 2020 following a four-year sentence for tax fraud in 2010.

Susan B. Anthony

Suffragette Susan B. Anthony was posthumously pardoned by Trump in 2020, which was rejected by the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House in Rochester. She was arrested in 1872 for voting, and the museum’s president and CEO said she wouldn’t have wanted a pardon.

Dinesh D’Souza 

Writer Dinesh D’Souza pleaded guilty to making illegal campaign contributions to Wendy Long’s 2012 U.S. Senate campaign in New York. He was pardoned by Trump in 2018.

Ken Kurson

Former New York Observer editor Ken Kurson was pardoned in 2021 after he was accused of cyberstalking, including installing spyware on his ex-wife’s computer.

Michael McMahon

Last month, Trump pardoned Michael McMahon, a former New York City Police Department officer, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stalking a family on behalf of the Chinese government.