Trump plans to "pardon 250 criminals" for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, with the lobbying price up to $2 million.

The White House is reportedly evaluating issuing around 250 presidential pardons over the July 4th weekend of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, with the slogan "250th Anniversary, Pardon 250 People." However, Trump himself has not yet been formally briefed on the idea, and his aides are divided, meaning the proposal may never even reach his desk. Lawyers and lobbyists are asking for up to $2 million just for a chance to engage with the pardon process, with the list largely based on speculation.
(Previous context: SBF Pardon Hopeless? Bipartisan U.S. Senators Join Forces to Introduce Legislation! Cynthia Lummis Fires Back: He Stole Billions)
(Background: U.S. 250th Anniversary Buried a "Time Capsule" Set to Open in 2276, Containing Rich Materials)

Table of Contents

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• $2 Million Only Buys One "Opportunity to Engage"
• Crypto Community: SBF Applied, White House Ignores
• Two Dilemmas: From Sexual Exploitation Controversy to Intelligence Leaks

Key Takeaways

• White House evaluating 250th anniversary pardons for 250 people; Trump is the sole ultimate decision-maker.
• Lobbying fees range from $1 million to $2 million, buying only a chance to engage, not a guaranteed spot.
• SBF has applied for a pardon, but Trump said in a January interview he has no intention of pardoning him.

It is reported that the White House is evaluating issuing around 250 presidential pardons over the July 4th weekend of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, with the slogan "250th Anniversary, Pardon 250 People." However, sources say Trump himself has not yet been formally briefed on the idea, and his aides are divided. Ultimately, the decision on the final list rests solely with Trump.

$2 Million Only Buys One "Opportunity to Engage"

A shadow lobbying industry has already taken shape in Washington, including lawyers, lobbyists, and middlemen charging $1 million to $2 million. They are not selling a guaranteed pardon, but only a ticket to "engage with the pardon process." The list involves wealthy individuals from India, Greece, Turkey, and France, all well-connected and deep-pocketed.

The White House denies that these named individuals are "on the pardon team's radar," but multiple sources confirm that these cases have indeed been discussed. Publicly claiming not to care while privately weighing options in meeting rooms—this is Washington's most familiar posture.

Aides are also divided into two factions. One believes a large-scale pardon could consolidate the MAGA base and create an image of a "merciful president." The other is concerned that with approval ratings already weak ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and internal dissent within the Republican Congress, if the list triggers backlash, it could become ammunition for Democrats. Division before the announcement—this is the biggest variable in the current proposal.

Crypto Community: SBF Applied, White House Ignores

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), currently serving a 25-year sentence, formally submitted a pardon application on June 8, 2026, and has been pleading his innocence via Twitter from prison. The crypto community sees him as a popular candidate, with a straightforward rationale: Trump, in his second term, has positioned himself as a crypto supporter, and he needs crypto votes in the midterm elections.

However, Trump himself told The New York Times in a January 2026 interview that he has "no intention" of pardoning SBF, and a White House spokesperson later reiterated to Fortune that there is "no intention to pardon him."

Former FTX executive Ryan Salame (sentenced to 7.5 years) in the same case has also been mentioned by the crypto community, but this is speculative, and mainstream reports have not confirmed he is actually under consideration (his partner Michelle Bond is involved in a separate case related to misusing client funds for political campaign contributions).

Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes took a different path, applying for "sentence commutation" rather than a full pardon in 2025. She is still awaiting a response, and Trump has not yet taken a position.

1MDB scandal fugitive Jho Low and former Fugees rapper Pras Michel (convicted in connection with a lobbying scheme related to Jho Low) are also reportedly on the discussion list, but the White House has similarly responded that Jho Low is "not on the pardon plan."

Two Dilemmas: From Sexual Exploitation Controversy to Intelligence Leaks

OneTaste co-founder Nicole Daedone was convicted in federal court of "forced labor conspiracy." Prosecutors alleged that under the guise of "volunteerism," she required employees (including women) to engage in sex-related labor and so-called "intimacy practices," forming systematic forced labor. She has a non-trivial level of interest in prediction markets for release, and her wellness founder persona makes it easier for her to fit into a "reformed" narrative. However, even pro-MAGA Lindell TV hosts have publicly opposed including "a convicted sex cult leader" on the list, with conservatives themselves rejecting the idea.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and former NSA contractor Edward Snowden represent another symbolic debate. Julian Assange reached a plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2024, pleading guilty to a lesser charge, and was released to return to Australia. A pardon for him would be more of a "clean slate" ritual. Edward Snowden, facing multiple felony charges including espionage for exposing mass surveillance programs in 2013, remains in exile in Russia. Trump said during his first term that he was "very close" to pardoning both, but ultimately neither made the final list.

Outside analysts suggest that if these two were actually pardoned this time, it might earn Trump some goodwill from liberal voters. But this remains speculative analysis, not official policy.

This 250th anniversary pardon proposal is currently stuck on aides' desks, with Trump himself not even having seen it. Who makes the list or whether the proposal dies altogether are still highly uncertain.

At the same time, this is also a good reason for the left to strongly criticize Trump, as a large-scale pardon is bound to spark a media war.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the White House's 250th anniversary pardon proposal?
The White House is evaluating issuing approximately 250 pardons on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States (July 4, 2026), with the slogan "250th Anniversary, Pardon 250 People." Trump is the final decision-maker, but he has not yet been formally briefed on the proposal, and its ultimate fate remains uncertain.

Will SBF actually be pardoned?
Not yet decided. SBF submitted a pardon application on June 8, 2026, but Trump said in a January 2026 interview that he has no intention of pardoning him, and the White House spokesperson has reiterated this stance to the media. There is currently a clear gap between the official position and the crypto community's expectations.