U.S. President Donald Trump has granted a pardon to former Republican congressman Stephen Buyer, who was convicted of insider trading and served a prison sentence following his departure from Congress.
The pardon, announced in a proclamation dated June 4, clears Buyer of a conviction that stemmed from stock trades linked to confidential information about a major telecommunications merger.
Conviction and Prison Sentence
Buyer, a former representative from Indiana, was sentenced to 22 months in prison in September 2023 after a federal jury in Manhattan found him guilty of insider trading.
The case originated from allegations brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2021. Regulators accused Buyer of using non-public information obtained through clients of a consulting business he established after leaving Congress in 2011.
According to prosecutors, Buyer traded shares based on confidential knowledge related to the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, allowing him to benefit from information unavailable to the public.
He was released from prison last year after completing his sentence.
Trump Praises Public Service
In the pardon proclamation, Trump highlighted Buyer's record of public service, describing his work in Congress and in the U.S. Army as distinguished and highly productive.
The document focused on Buyer's career achievements and military service, including his role as a judge advocate general in the Army. It did not address the conduct that led to his conviction.
The proclamation also noted support for clemency from several Republican figures, including Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Supporters Push for Clemency
The pardon followed a public campaign by Buyer's supporters urging Trump to intervene.
Days before the announcement, Trump shared letters from Republican backers, including 42 retired members of Congress, calling for Buyer to receive clemency.
The letters pointed to his 18 years in Congress and his military background. They also referenced his role as a House prosecutor during the impeachment proceedings against former President Bill Clinton.
Trump's Position on Insider Trading
Trump has previously criticized insider trading, particularly in relation to market activity during international conflicts and other major events.
At the same time, he has repeatedly voiced support for banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks. He has said he would sign legislation imposing such a ban if it were approved by lawmakers.
Buyer's pardon adds to a series of clemency actions taken by Trump during his presidency and comes despite the former congressman's conviction on charges related to financial misconduct.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 8 June 2026