Donald Trump has remade the clemency process, just as he has transformed so many other norms and customs of the presidency. He has pardoned more than 50 white-collar offenders in his second term, more than any other recent president. Sometimes he grants pardons to people who never applied through the Justice Department; at other times, he decides on a pardon without first getting a recommendation from his committee of White House advisers. Trump has dispensed pardons in an ad hoc bazaar, where those seeking his favor struggle — and spend millions — to get their cases before him with a winning argument. This has led to the creation of a shadow industry in Washington of supposed pardon whisperers — lawyers, lobbyists and at least one “yoga influencer” — who promise prospective clients that they have the juice to produce pardons, for a fee. By now, nearly a year and a half into Trump’s second term, the rules of the game have become clear. What has emerged is a sort of common law of Trump pardons, as those who pay attention learn how to argue — and to whom. Stay in touch: Like this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter.
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