US President Donald Trump defended his pardon of Trevor Milton, the founder of Nikola electric truck company, who was convicted of defrauding investors by making false claims about his business. Trump stated that Milton’s treatment was “very unfair” and that he supported Trump’s presidency.
Milton was sentenced to four years in prison and fined $1 million for securities fraud and wire fraud. However, Trump claimed that Milton’s family and business were unfairly targeted. He argued that many people support him and are targeted by the government, citing his own pardon of convicted felon Gilbert Mullin as an example.
Milton had given over $900,000 to Trump’s joint fundraising committee in 2024. The Justice Department accused him of making false claims about his company’s business practices. Trump criticized former President Joe Biden and his Justice Department for prosecuting Milton, calling them “a vicious group of people” who destroyed five years of his life.
The pardon has been met with criticism from some, who argue that it rewards bad behavior and undermines the integrity of the justice system.
Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-explains-trevor-milton-pardon-1235306150