US States Urged to Prosecute Trump-Pardoned Felons for State Crimes, Citing $1 Million Arkansas Recovery
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15
US States Urged to Prosecute Trump-Pardoned Felons for State Crimes, Citing $1 Million Arkansas Recovery
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15
Summary
US states should pursue state-law cases against people pardoned by President Trump, the opinion piece argues, because federal clemency does not block prosecutions by separate state sovereigns.
Stephen Buyer’s 2023 insider-trading conviction is cited as the latest example in a broader pattern of pardons for well-connected offenders whose ties to Trump donors, lobbyists or Mar-a-Lago access fuel pay-to-play concerns.
Arkansas is presented as a working model: after Joseph Schwartz received a federal pardon, the state still forced him to serve part of his remaining sentence and to pay more than $1 million in restitution and fees.
Trevor Milton’s 2022 fraud conviction is offered as another potential target, with Arizona and other states described as able to bring their own fraud cases if the conduct violated state law.