Former President Donald Trump announced on Friday the issuance of full executive pardons for six individuals, asserting that they had been "persecuted" by the previous administration for simply "fixing their car."
In a post shared on Truth Social Friday afternoon, the former president characterized the federal prosecutions as elements of "Weaponization and Stupidity," declaring, "I AM SETTING THEM ALL FREE, RIGHT NOW!"
These clemency actions align with Mr. Trump's broader advocacy for the "right to repair."
Presidential Clemency and 'Right to Repair'
Earlier in the week, he had signed a presidential memorandum aimed at simplifying the process for Americans to repair their own vehicles. This directive sought to safeguard self-repair capabilities and expand access to aftermarket parts.
Speaking during an Oval Office news conference, Mr. Trump explained his reasoning: "It came to my attention because I noticed they were arresting people for fixing their car. We rule by common sense."
Details of the Environmental Prosecution
The executive clemency appears connected to a federal environmental case involving Elite Diesel Service Inc. and its proprietor, Troy Lake Sr.
Mr. Lake was granted a full and unconditional pardon, effective November 7, 2025, which will expunge his conviction in the case titled United States v. Elite Diesel Service, Inc. et al.
According to federal plea agreements, Elite Diesel had instructed its employees to disable computerized on-board diagnostic systems in at least 344 heavy-duty commercial trucks. These actions occurred between January 2017 and December 2020.
These diagnostic systems are mandated by federal law under the Clean Air Act, designed to monitor and ensure the proper functioning of emissions control systems.
Mr. Lake was sentenced on December 5, 2024, to a prison term exceeding one year and a fine of $2,500. The company, Elite Diesel Service Inc., received five years of probation, was ordered to pay a fine of $37,500, and was required to contribute $12,500 to a Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment program dedicated to repairing emissions systems for low-income drivers.
Prosecutors further contended that co-conspirators of Elite Diesel, including other diesel truck garages and fleets, engaged Mr. Lake's company to manipulate vehicle computers. The purpose of these manipulations was to prevent the detection of emission system malfunctions, as detailed in a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado.
The extensive investigation conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ultimately encompassed eight alleged co-conspirator garages and fleets spanning seven states, including Kansas, North Dakota, and Oklahoma.
These businesses were compelled to pay substantial fines and finance local community service initiatives, such as the acquisition of clean school buses or electric groundskeeping equipment, as a means to offset their environmental impact, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Previous Administration's Stance on Prosecutions
Officials from the previous administration had defended these criminal prosecutions, emphasizing their critical importance for public health.
Lance Ehrig, a Special Agent with the EPA's Criminal Investigation Division, accused the defendants of orchestrating a "large-scale conspiracy" that "diminished air quality."
A study referenced by the prosecution indicated that the tampered trucks collectively released over 1,300 tons of excess nitrogen oxides and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
As of Friday, the Office of the Pardon Attorney website, maintained by the Justice Department, had not yet been updated to reflect the individuals granted clemency by the former president.
