U.S. President Donald Trump has granted pardons to Rudy Giuliani, his former lawyer, and several others accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
The move has sparked strong political debate across the United States, with critics saying Trump is using his power to protect his allies from justice.
Giuliani, who was one of Trump’s key figures in challenging the election that Joe Biden won, faced multiple allegations including spreading false claims and pressuring election officials in several states.
Legal experts say the pardons show how Trump continues to use presidential power for political purposes, while the White House defended the decision as “a step toward justice for those unfairly targeted for political reasons.
Others who received pardons include former Trump campaign officials accused of involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 results.
However, democracy watchdogs warned that the move could undermine trust in the rule of law, stressing that “no one should be above the law.”