Trump pardons nine individuals for emissions control violations
The pardons were announced for individuals convicted under the Clean Air Act. Trump stated they were unfairly prosecuted for attempting to repair their vehicles. (sources: foxnews, dw, cbsnews)

Trump announced pardons for nine individuals convicted of tampering with diesel engine emission controls. He characterized their actions as efforts to 'fix their car' rather than criminal behavior.
- Trump pardoned nine individuals convicted of violations related to the Clean Air Act.
- He claimed these individuals were persecuted by the Biden Administration.
- The pardons were framed as a response to prosecutions for actions described as 'fixing their car.'
Why it matters
The pardons may impact ongoing discussions about environmental regulations and enforcement.
↓ Congress can act on this
5 bills on this issue are moving right now — and the most active one is S2235: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025.
S2235 · 119th Congress
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025
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About this bill
What S2235 actually does
This story is about Trump pardons 9 people convicted of tampering with emission controls on diesel engines. This bill would reauthorize the federal diesel emissions reduction program through 2029.
If passed, it would:
- Reauthorize the federal diesel emissions reduction program through 2029 • Support grants, rebates, or loans for cleaner diesel engines and retrofits rather than relaxing tampering rules.
4 other bills moving on this issue
Take action on any of them individually.
This story is about Trump pardons 9 people convicted of tampering with emission controls on diesel engines. This bill would require EPA to allow manufacturers to suspend certain engine derate or shutdown functions in prolonged cold weather.
If passed, it would
- Require EPA to allow manufacturers to suspend certain engine derate or shutdown functions in prolonged cold weather • Create exemptions from some diesel exhaust fluid system requirements for covered vehicles in extreme conditions.
This story is about Trump pardons 9 people convicted of tampering with emission controls on diesel engines. This bill would eliminate other states’ authority to adopt identical California standards.
If passed, it would
- Eliminate the Clean Air Act waiver allowing California to set stricter new-vehicle emissions standards • Eliminate other states’ authority to adopt identical California standards.
This story is about Trump pardons 9 people convicted of tampering with emission controls on diesel engines. This bill would remove a major compliance and enforcement basis now used against diesel-emissions tampering.
If passed, it would
- Bar federal enforcement requiring emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems on motor vehicles and engines • Remove a major compliance and enforcement basis now used against diesel-emissions tampering.
This story is about Trump pardons 9 people convicted of tampering with emission controls on diesel engines. This bill would support emissions-control compliance and enforcement.
If passed, it would
- Repeal federal motor vehicle emission and fuel standards under the Clean Air Act • Substantially narrow the legal framework that supports emissions-control compliance and enforcement.
