Trump Pardons Former Sheriff Convicted in Corruption Case
Recent pardons raise questions about administration's approach to public corruption
President Donald Trump has pardoned former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted in a corruption case involving payments in exchange for law enforcement authority. Jenkins was sentenced to 10 years in prison in March after being found guilty of accepting over $75,000 in bribes. Trump characterized Jenkins as a victim of an overzealous Justice Department, stating he didn't deserve jail time despite the conviction.
The Jenkins pardon follows a pattern of similar actions by President Trump, who has pardoned at least four supportive former public officials convicted of financial improprieties since returning to office. These include former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, former Tennessee State Senator Brian Kelsey, and former Las Vegas City Council member Michele Fiore, all of whom had faced corruption-related charges. The administration also dropped a campaign finance case against former Representative Jeff Fortenberry and moved to dismiss corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
KEY POINTS
- •Trump pardons sheriff in bribery case
- •Four corruption-related pardons issued
- •DOJ public corruption unit shrinking
These actions coincide with structural changes at the Justice Department, where the Public Integrity Section has reportedly diminished in both size and influence. The FBI's Washington Field Office is closing a public corruption squad that focused on federal corruption cases. Former Justice Department officials have expressed concern that these developments signal the administration is deprioritizing public corruption enforcement.
Jenkins had claimed he was targeted because of his conservative politics, including positions on immigration, guns, and COVID-19 lockdowns. Prosecutors, however, presented evidence including recordings of Jenkins acknowledging the scheme. Ed Martin, recently appointed as U.S. pardon attorney and director of the Justice Department's Weaponization Working Group, publicly supported the Jenkins pardon on social media.
Additional pardons may be forthcoming, according to reports. Trump reportedly called the children of reality television couple Todd and Julie Chrisley to inform them their parents would receive pardons for bank fraud and tax evasion convictions. Martin has also met with an attorney representing members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers groups regarding potential pardons related to January 6 cases.