Trump set to pardon ex-Puerto Rico governor after ‘political prosecution’

Key Highlights

• More than $300,000 was allegedly paid to political consultants backing Vázquez’s campaign, the Associated Press reported. After Vázquez’s arrest in 2022, she repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
• However, as the case neared trial, the justice department swiftly reached a plea deal with the defendants.
• Herrera’s daughter, meanwhile, donated $2.5m to Maga Inc – a Trump-aligned Super Pac. The defense team which helped negotiate the plea deal also included Chris Kise, a longtime Trump ally who has previously represented the president. Herrera’s daughter made another $1m donation to Maga Inc last July, the New York Times reported. In a statement to the Guardian on Friday, a White House official said: “This entire case is an example of political prosecution … Ms Vazquez’ pardon materials state that there was never any element of a quid pro quo deal and that her prosecution was politically motivated.“The investigation into Ms Vazquez began 10 days after she endorsed President Trump in 2020.
• The investigation, she contends, not only monitored her campaign, but also included a monitoring of the Trump campaign.”Since retaking office in early 2025, Trump has pursued an expansive clemency campaign, issuing pardons to a wide range of business and political allies. Those pardoned include more than 1,500 individuals connected to the 6 January 2021 Capitol attack carried out by Trump’s supporters; a former Tennessee Republican convicted on federal public corruption charges; an ex-New York police sergeant found guilty of assisting China in efforts to intimidate a Chinese expatriate; and a cryptocurrency billionaire with ties to the Trump family’s crypto business. Explore more on these topicsDonald TrumpPuerto RicoUS politicsTrump administrationUS justice systemnewsShareReuse this content.