(DailyChive.com) – President Trump pardoned a Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery just hours before he was set to begin a 10-year prison sentence, claiming the case was driven by political persecution.
At a Glance
- Trump granted an unconditional pardon to Scott Jenkins, former sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia
- Jenkins was convicted of accepting over $75,000 in bribes to appoint businessmen as auxiliary deputies
- The sheriff was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and was pardoned the day before reporting to jail
- Trump criticized the Biden Department of Justice and the judge, claiming Jenkins faced an unfair trial
- The presidential pardon provides legal forgiveness and ends all punishment for the federal conviction
Sheriff’s Conviction and Presidential Intervention
Scott Jenkins, who served as sheriff of Culpeper County from 2012 until his conviction, was found guilty in December 2024 on multiple federal charges including conspiracy, honest services fraud, and bribery. Federal prosecutors demonstrated that Jenkins accepted more than $75,000 in cash payments from eight individuals, including undercover FBI agents, in exchange for appointing them as auxiliary deputy sheriffs. These volunteer positions can carry significant law enforcement powers similar to those of paid officers.
Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee condemned Jenkins’ actions, stating the former sheriff had exploited his official powers for personal gain and manipulated the judicial process. The Department of Justice emphasized that Jenkins’ case represented a serious breach of public trust and underscored the importance of holding law enforcement officials accountable for misconduct, particularly when they abuse their authority for financial benefit.
Pres. Trump on Monday granted an unconditional pardon to a Virginia sheriff who had been convicted of federal bribery charges and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Read more: https://t.co/jEZQOhdd44 pic.twitter.com/g2B7cpuve1
— ABC News (@ABC) May 27, 2025
Trump’s Justification for the Pardon
In explaining his decision to pardon Jenkins, President Trump characterized the former sheriff as a victim of persecution by what he termed the “Radical Left.” Trump sharply criticized both the Biden Department of Justice and the judge involved in Jenkins’ trial, asserting that the case was handled unfairly. The president specifically claimed that Jenkins had been prevented from presenting evidence in his defense during the trial, though court records have not been cited to substantiate this assertion.
Trump’s pardon came after Jenkins directly appealed to the president for help, reportedly believing Trump would intervene if he became aware of the details surrounding his case. The timing of the pardon was particularly significant, as it was granted just hours before Jenkins was scheduled to begin serving his 10-year sentence in federal prison, effectively canceling his incarceration entirely.
President Trump announces full pardon for Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery https://t.co/gIr3Iugggv
— The Hill (@thehill) May 26, 2025
Legal Framework and Implications
The U.S. Constitution grants the president broad authority to issue pardons for federal offenses, with the only explicit limitation being cases of impeachment. A presidential pardon provides legal forgiveness for the convicted individual, ends any form of punishment, and restores certain civil rights that may have been forfeited upon conviction. Critics and supporters alike have noted that this pardon follows a pattern of Trump issuing pardons to political allies and supporters.
Jenkins’ case has highlighted questions about the intersection of presidential powers and the justice system. The former sheriff had been elected three times to his position, winning elections in 2012, 2015, and 2019, suggesting he maintained significant local support despite the serious nature of the charges against him. The evidence presented at trial indicated Jenkins had established a system where he received personal financial benefit in exchange for distributing law enforcement credentials.
This pardon represents one of the most significant exercises of presidential clemency power in recent months and has renewed debates about the appropriate use of pardoning authority, particularly in cases involving public corruption and abuse of power by law enforcement officials. Constitutional scholars note that while presidential pardon power is nearly absolute for federal crimes, its use in cases involving public corruption can raise questions about the separation of powers and accountability in government.
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