President Donald Trump's pardon system has shifted dramatically. Influence now hinges on personal networks and narratives of victimhood, bypassing established Justice Department rules. Advocates with access to Trump's inner circle play a crucial role. This new approach prioritizes personal appeals and connections over formal procedures. Many recipients did not meet prior criteria for clemency.

Trump's pardon process now relies on personal networks, discarding over a century of protocol overseen by the Justice Department.

President Donald Trump's pardon system has shifted dramatically. Influence now hinges on personal networks and narratives of victimhood, bypassing established Justice Department…