Overview
- The November 7 proclamation grants an unconditional pardon for conduct relating to any slate or proposed slate of 2020 presidential electors, including support, voting, participation and advocacy, and it is not limited to named individuals.
- Matthew Laiss moved to dismiss a federal indictment alleging he voted in Pennsylvania by mail and in person in Florida in 2020, arguing the pardon’s plain text covers his conduct, and he has pleaded not guilty.
- Federal prosecutors handling the Laiss case have sought additional time to respond as they confer with the Justice Department on the pardon’s scope, and no response has been filed yet.
- Election-law experts say the wording could sweep in garden‑variety 2020 voter‑fraud offenses committed by U.S. citizens, while noting that federal cases against noncitizens would not be covered.
- Analysts also say the language may shield election officials who lawfully ran the 2020 vote from threatened federal charges, with state prosecutions still possible where permitted by law and timing.