Trump’s Surprise Pardon: Former NY Congressman Michael Grimm Walks Free

Former New York congressman Michael Grimm has received a full presidential pardon from Donald Trump, wiping away the felony tax-fraud conviction that forced the Republican lawmaker to resign from Congress and spend seven months in federal prison in 2015. The unexpected clemency order, signed late Tuesday night and announced Wednesday morning, immediately set off fresh debate over Trump’s use of executive pardon power and reopened questions about Grimm’s political future. Grimm, 55, represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn from 2011 to 2015. A former Marine and FBI agent, he built a reputation as a tough-on-crime conservative and a staunch Trump ally, but his career was derailed when federal prosecutors charged him with hiding more than $900,000 in restaurant revenue and underreporting employee wages. He pleaded guilty to one count of felony tax evasion in December 2014 and resigned his House seat the following month. In addition to prison time, Grimm was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $148,000 in restitution. In the pardon announcement, the White House cited Grimm’s “exemplary military service” and “years of public service,” arguing that he had “paid his debt to society” and that a pardon would allow him “to fully reengage in civic life.” Trump officials also pointed to letters from several Staten Island community leaders who praised Grimm’s post-prison charity work and advocacy for 9/11 first responders—causes he championed while in Congress. Reaction on Capitol Hill broke along partisan lines. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who now holds Grimm’s former seat, applauded the decision, saying Grimm “has demonstrated remorse and rebuilt trust with our community.” Democratic lawmakers were sharply critical. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the pardon “another example of special treatment for political allies,” while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said it “sends the wrong message to hardworking Americans who play by the rules.” Legal scholars note that a presidential pardon restores Grimm’s civil rights, including his eligibility to run for federal office. Grimm unsuccessfully attempted a political comeback in 2018, losing the GOP primary to then-Rep. Dan Donovan. In a brief statement outside his Staten Island home Wednesday, Grimm thanked Trump “for believing in second chances” and left the door open to a future campaign, saying he would “consult with family and supporters” before making any decisions. The pardon comes amid a late-May clemency blitz in which Trump signed more than two dozen pardons and commutations, including rapper NBA YoungBoy and former Connecticut governor John Rowland. Critics argue that the spree blends celebrity, political favor, and personal loyalty, undermining the Justice Department’s traditional vetting process. Supporters counter that the Constitution grants the president broad discretion, and that past administrations also issued controversial pardons. Grimm’s legal troubles began during his second term, when a 20-count indictment accused him of operating an off-the-books payroll at Healthalicious, the Manhattan health-food restaurant he co-owned before entering politics. Prosecutors said Grimm pocketed cash, lied under oath during a civil deposition, and unlawfully hired undocumented workers. He eventually struck a plea deal on a single felony count, but the plea effectively ended his rising political career and tarnished the New York GOP brand heading into the 2016 election cycle. Political analysts are divided on whether Grimm could mount a successful return. Staten Island remains one of New York City’s most conservative enclaves, and some voters view Grimm as a hometown hero persecuted by overzealous prosecutors. Others say memories of the tax-fraud case still sting, and that the district may prefer a fresh face unburdened by scandal. The 2026 midterms are more than a year away, giving Grimm time to test the waters and gauge donor interest. For now, Grimm is a free man with a clean slate—and a renewed spotlight. Whether he uses it to re-enter politics, resume private-sector work, or continue his nonprofit advocacy will become clear in the months ahead. What is certain is that the name Michael Grimm is once again dominating headlines, social feeds, and search bars as the nation digests the latest consequential move from a former president who relishes rewriting the rules of Washington power.