The White House recently announced President Donald Trump on Thursday exercised his authority under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S.Constitution to grant a "full, complete, and unconditional pardon" to former Republican Indiana Rep.
Stephen Buyer, who was convicted of profiting from insider information.The pardon absolves Buyer of a 2023 federal conviction that resulted in a 22-month prison sentence. Buyer, who chaired the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and served as a House prosecutor during former President Bill Clinton's 1998 impeachment trial, was found guilty by a jury of operating off nonpublic, insider information after he left office.GOP LAWMAKER JOINS DEMOCRAT-LED EFFORT TO LIMIT TRUMP'S PARDON POWERFormer Rep.Stephen Buyer, R-Ind., arrives for his insider trading trial at the United States Courthouse in Manhattan, New York City, March 8, 2023.
(Brendan McDermid)The White House proclamation praised Buyer's "distinguished and highly productive" career, citing his service as a judge advocate general in the U.S.Army and his 1993–2011 tenure as a U.S.
representative from Indiana.The pardon was supported by the "complete and total endorsement" of more than 50 current and former lawmakers, the White House said.Among those who endorsed the pardon included Republican Sens.Lindsey Graham and Roger Wicker and former House Speaker John Boehner.
Other supporters were former Sen.Rick Santorum, R-Pa., former Rep.
Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, former Rep.Dan Burton, R-Ind., former Rep.
Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill Jr.The proclamation directed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to "administer and effectuate the immediate issuance of a certificate of pardon" for Buyer.Acting U.S.Attorney General Todd Blanche was directed to obtain a certificate of pardon for Buyer.
(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)DEM CONGRESSMAN PARDONED BY TRUMP ACCUSES BIDEN-ERA DOJ OF WEAPONIZING INDICTMENTBuyer's conviction stemmed from allegations that he ...