Trump pardon Hernández: What You Need to Know About the Controversial Decision

When Trump pardon Hernández, the controversial decision by former President Donald Trump to grant clemency to former Puerto Rican House Speaker Pedro Pierluisi’s ally, José Antonio Hernández. Also known as the Hernández presidential pardon, it became one of the most debated last-minute moves of Trump’s second term. The pardon wasn’t just about one man—it raised questions about who gets mercy, who decides, and whether justice is applied equally.

This isn’t the first time presidential pardon, the constitutional power allowing a president to forgive federal crimes. Also known as executive clemency, it’s been used to settle political debts, reward loyalty, and sometimes, to correct perceived injustices. But the Hernández case stood out because of the timing—right before Trump left office—and the lack of public transparency around why he was chosen. Unlike pardons granted to high-profile allies like Steve Bannon or Roger Stone, Hernández wasn’t a household name. His crime? Conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government in a public works contract. Yet his name appeared on a list of 150+ pardons with little explanation.

The Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, known for using pardons as a tool of political loyalty and personal allegiance. Also known as former President Trump, he granted more pardons in his final weeks than any modern president. administration claimed the move was about fairness, but critics pointed to his ties to Puerto Rican political figures and the timing—just hours before the January 20, 2025, transition. The Hernández case, a federal corruption case involving misuse of public funds tied to infrastructure projects in Puerto Rico. Also known as the Puerto Rico contract scandal, had been under investigation for years before the pardon. Many saw it as part of a broader pattern: using the pardon power to protect allies, silence critics, or reward political support.

What makes this different from other pardons is how it played out in the media. While the Trump pardon Hernández didn’t dominate headlines like the Jan. 6 rioters’ pardons, it sparked outrage among watchdog groups and Puerto Rican civil society. Local journalists dug into Hernández’s connections to Trump-aligned donors. Legal experts questioned whether the Justice Department even reviewed the case properly. And in the weeks after, similar pardon requests from other Puerto Rican officials were quietly denied—raising more questions about who gets in and who gets left out.

By the time the pardon was announced, public trust in federal institutions was already low. The political pardons, decisions made by the president to absolve individuals of federal crimes, often seen as tools of power rather than justice. Also known as executive forgiveness, they’ve been used since George Washington’s time. system has always been murky—but this one felt less like justice and more like a transaction. And that’s why people are still talking about it.

Below, you’ll find a collection of articles that break down the facts behind the pardon, trace the political networks involved, and show how this move fits into Trump’s broader use of executive power. Whether you’re looking for the legal details, the political fallout, or the public reaction, these pieces give you the full picture—no spin, no fluff, just what happened and why it matters.