Sam Bankman-Fried officially asks Donald Trump for a presidential pardon
Summary
Sam Bankman-Fried, the convicted founder of FTX, has formally applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump while serving a 25-year sentence for fraud and conspiracy. The Justice Department’s pardon office lists the request as pending. Bankman-Fried confirmed he would seek clemency and said the decision rests with Trump. His family has previously explored pardon channels, though no direct White House talks are confirmed. The request comes after he has publicly echoed some Trump positions, including praise for his Iran strikes and lower gas prices, and after Trump has already pardoned several crypto-related figures. But a pardon is uncertain: Trump previously said Bankman-Fried should not expect clemency.
