Those four figures and their pardons aren't the only evidence of a Justice Department de-emphasizing public corruption cases. In the early days of the administration, the Justice Department also dropped a campaign finance case against Republican former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, who had been set to go on trial next month.

President Donald Trump said Monday he was pardoning a former sheriff in Culpeper County, Virginia, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison on federal bribery and fraud charges. Scott Jenkins was sheriff for 12 years before voters rejected him following his 2023 indictment.

The latest pardons by President Donald Trump are another example of him flexing his power to bestow clemency on political allies and prominent public officials, including those convicted of defrauding the public.