Trump signs Alaska diesel mechanics pardons on stage during rally promoting major energy deals
U.S. President Donald Trump signed pardon documents in Alaska and said a natural gas pipeline would secure federal permits
Trump calls for amnesty for mechanics at Alaska rally
President Donald Trump pardoned mechanics under the Biden-era Justice Department accused of conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act on stage at a rally in Alaska on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump announced the pardon of two Alaskan diesel mechanics during a midterm rally Tuesday night in Wasilla and brought the men on stage to sign pardons.
Trump identified Zachary Chubak and Patrick Fleming, two co-owners of an Anchorage diesel repair shop who pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the 2022 Clean Air Act.
Trump told his supporters: "I am granting unconditional pardon to each of these three people.
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The president defended the men, saying their work helped keep the trucks running in Alaska's bitter cold and arguing that their prosecution was unfair during the Biden era.
According to the Justice Department, Biden, Chubbuck and Fleming were among three co-owners of Arm Rippin' Toys who admitted to installing federally required emissions control equipment and tampering with monitoring devices on at least 37 diesel vehicles between July 2019 and September 2020.
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Federal prosecutors said at the time that the store raised about $100,000 in repairs.
While signing the pardon documents, Trump criticized former US President Joe Biden's use of a pen.
"So I'm signing this now, which Joe Biden can't do because he couldn't sign his signature," Trump said.
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He also openly shared with the crowd the privilege of the presidential pardon power.
"What an honor. I love doing these things," Trump said.
One of the men thanked the president from the stage and described the prosecutor's personal impact.
"It really destroyed us. It destroyed friendships. It destroyed families," he said.
The pardon came during a rally where Trump made a series of major announcements about Alaska's energy future, including announcing that a long-awaited 800-mile natural gas pipeline has secured every necessary federal permit.
"Whatever authorization you need, you can start tonight," Trump told the crowd. "Any permit you need has been issued."
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