Fact check: How many pardons did Donald Trump issue compared to previous presidents?

1. Summary of the results

Donald Trump issued a total of 1,644 pardons across his two terms - 144 in his first term and approximately 1,500 in his second term, with many of the latter being related to the January 6 Capitol attack ^[1]. This makes him the third-highest pardoning president in history ^[2], though significantly behind Joe Biden, who has granted 4,245 acts of clemency - the highest on record - and Franklin D. Roosevelt's 3,796 acts during his 12-year presidency ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements need to be considered:

• Nature of the Pardons: Trump's pardons often went to individuals with personal or political connections to him, including those involved in the Mueller investigation ^[3]. Specific recipients included:

Scott Jenkins

Michele Fiore

Trevor Milton

Jason Galanis

Devon Archer

Paul Walczak ^[4]

• Historical Perspective: While the raw numbers are significant, Franklin D. Roosevelt's high pardon count was partially due to his unusual four-term presidency ^[2]. The practice of presidential pardons has been utilized by all modern presidents to varying degrees ^[2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question of "how many" pardons fails to capture the more significant debate about their nature and impact:

• Political Tool: Legal experts argue that Trump transformed pardons into a "menacing new frontier of presidential power" ^[5]. The pardons appear to have been used as a political tool to reward supporters rather than based on legal considerations ^[4].
• Beneficiaries: Those who benefited from Trump's pardons included:

A sheriff convicted of taking bribes

A donor's son

Reality TV personalities ^[6]

Individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack ^[1]

This pattern suggests a more partisan and transactional approach to pardons ^[6], which is arguably more significant than the raw numbers themselves.