Trump’s Birthday Pardons Plan Sparks Concerns Ahead of Midterms

Donald Trump is preparing to mark America’s 250th birthday with a sweeping wave of pardons, a move that has unsettled some in the White House over fears it could negatively impact Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the president is expected to announce up to 250 pardons on either June 14—his birthday—or July 4. While discussions about execution are ongoing, Trump remains the sole decision-maker on clemency actions, according to a White House official quoted by the Journal.

Critics argue that many of Trump’s recent pardons have favored his allies. Among them:

• Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, who pleaded guilty to a money laundering scheme netting billions in cryptocurrency. Zhao had ties to the Trump sons’ crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, fueling speculation about a quid pro quo.
• Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola Corporation, sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding investors in his electric truck company. Milton’s victims were owed millions in restitution, which appears to be nullified by the pardon.

Congressional Democrats are investigating whether these pardons came with hidden costs. Lawmakers are probing whether recipients compensated lobbyists, influencers, or lawyers to influence Trump’s decision.

Beyond pardons, Trump’s $2 million plans for the nation’s semiquincentennial include:

• Cleaning and repainting the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool.
• An expansive statue garden featuring 250 life-size statues of American icons.
• “Patriot Games,” a series of athletic competitions for high schoolers.

Meanwhile, Trump’s Washington projects continue to draw scrutiny:

• A $15 million “Triumphal Arc” is under construction.
• A 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House is estimated to cost taxpayers $1 billion—far exceeding the original $200 million projection and private funding promise.

Economic pressures are also mounting. The ongoing conflict with Iran, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimates costs the U.S. $1 billion per day, has driven gas prices to record highs. The national average sits at $4.53 per gallon, with some areas in California, like Mono County, exceeding $7 per gallon—a 50% increase since the war began, according to AAA data.