Trump has issued over 1,700 clemency actions since January 2025, including a blanket pardon for roughly 1,500 January 6 defendants on his first day back in office and additional grants for fake electors in late 2025. Recent developments show continued grants in 2026 favoring politically connected recipients who bypass traditional DOJ guidelines, often through allies or influencers, with examples including drug offenders, a Philadelphia union leader, and associates linked to prominent figures. This pattern reflects executive discretion exercised via personal networks rather than formal processes. Traders assess candidates based on demonstrated proximity to the administration, lobbying activity, and timing before the December 31, 2026 resolution, as further actions remain possible ahead of year-end without scheduled milestones that would force broader releases.