Politics

Reports spotlight private pardon brokers as Democrats pledge congressional inquiry

Investigations allege lobbyists charge high fees for clemency access while the White House denies being influenced.

Updated Sep 15, 2026 · 04:56 UTC4 reports

Latest update: Rapper Boosie Badazz stated he paid brokers $600,000 up front for a presidential pardon that he never received.

The short version

Investigative reporting documented paid brokers, including Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl, charging clients hundreds of thousands of dollars while claiming direct influence over presidential pardons.[CBS News]
A data analysis revealed that around 70% of President Donald Trump's second-term clemency actions bypassed the standard Justice Department review system.[CBS News]
The White House rejected allegations of influence peddling, saying the president does not know the lobbyists and that hiring them wastes money.[Fox News]
Senior Democratic lawmakers announced plans to formally investigate the clemency lobbying market if they regain control of Congress.[CBS News]

Lobbyists Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl solicited $300,000 to attempt to secure a presidential pardon for Ammon Covino through direct pressure campaigns.[CBS News]
An analysis found roughly 70% of President Trump's second-term clemencies circumvented the traditional Justice Department review process.[CBS News]
White House spokesperson Lauren Bis maintained that paying lobbyists for pardons is a waste of money and stated the president does not know them.[Fox News]
Former Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin stated there is no evidence of a transactional pardon economy.[CBS News]
Rapper Boosie Badazz stated he paid brokers $600,000 upfront believing it would yield a pardon, but he never received clemency.[CBS News]
Senior Democratic lawmakers stated they will launch an investigation into the pardon broker industry if they secure majorities in Congress.[CBS News]

Whether any paid brokers actually exercised influence over President Trump's clemency determinations remains disputed, as the White House denied knowing them.[Fox News · CBS News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.