Representatives Dave Min and Suhas Subramanyam Introduce Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026
Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Dave Min (CA-47), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Fighting Corruption Task Force, and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), both members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, introduced the Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026, legislation to bring greater transparency, accountability, and public oversight to the presidential clemency process. The legislation serves as the House companion to S.256, legislation first introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
“President Trump has turned one of the most solemn powers of the presidency into a tool for rewarding political allies, wealthy donors, fraudsters, and insiders with access to the White House,” said Rep. Min. “My oversight investigation is following the money and influence behind these pardons, and this legislation ensures no president can continue operating this corrupt system in the shadows. The pardon power must serve justice—not wealth, loyalty, or political favors—and the American people have a right to know who is influencing these decisions.”
“Presidential pardons should not be for sale. President Trump has politicized his pardon power, pardoning January 6ers, fraudsters, and his friends,” said Rep. Subramanyam. “There are clear gaps in our system that need to be addressed to prevent further abuse of pardons.”
“The presidential pardon and clemency power has operated in the shadows as a kind of black box, since the founding of our republic,” said Senator Blumenthal. “The president is given absolute, unchecked power by the United States Constitution. Whatever sense it might have made at the time of our founding, it has given rise to problematic decisions – corruption, improper lobbying, and ultimately, injustice. President Trump’s pardons have cost taxpayers and crime victims billions in forfeited restitution and put child predators back into our communities. Basic transparency is imperative.”
The Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026 would:
- Require the President to publish a written explanation for each grant of executive clemency;
- Require the Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney to publish a Justice Impact Statement examining the potential effect of each clemency decision on ongoing investigations and prosecutions;
- Require victims of crimes committed by an individual receiving clemency to be notified and given an opportunity to submit their opinions;
- Require the Pardon Attorney to be informed earlier in the process about potential pardons and commutations; and
- Strengthen disclosure requirements for lobbying related to executive clemency.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
In May, Rep. Min and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) sent letters to 17 individuals who received pardons or commutations under circumstances that warrant further congressional scrutiny, including several individuals connected to major fraud schemes, financial crimes, and high-profile political or financial relationships tied to President Trump and his associates. This tranche of letters sought information regarding the clemency process, including whether financial contributions, lobbyists, intermediaries, or personal connections played a role in securing presidential clemency.
In June, Rep. Min and Sen. Welch escalated their investigation by demanding that the Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney, White House Office of Records Management, White House Pardon Czar, and U.S. Secret Service preserve and produce records related to President Trump’s clemency actions since January 20, 2025. The requested materials include clemency applications, communications, internal recommendations, lobbying materials, and White House visitor records.
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