Trump pardons former Republican congressman

President Donald Trump has issued a pardon to Stephen Buyer, a former Republican congressman from Indiana who served nearly two years in prison for making illegal stock trades based on inside information after he left office.

1. Frame 1President Donald Trump approves a full pardon for Stephen Buyer, Indiana's former Republican congressman, after a federal insider-trading conviction.
2. Frame 2Buyer was sentenced to 22 months in 2023 for trades made while working as a consultant and lobbyist.
3. Frame 3A judge ordered him to forfeit more than $350,000 in illegal gains and pay a $10,000 fine.
4. Frame 4The Supreme Court rejected Buyer's appeal in May without comment or noted dissent, leaving the conviction intact.
5. Frame 5Trump cited Buyer's Army JAG service and House career; Buyer says the prosecution was politically motivated.
6. Frame 6The consequence now centers on presidential clemency and whether white-collar convictions still carry lasting punishment after pardon power.