URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just granted a full pardon to media executive Tim Leiweke, co-founder of the Oak View Group, in a surprising move that raises eyebrows given the circumstances. This pardon comes after Leiweke was indicted by Trump’s own Department of Justice in July 2023 for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to rig a bidding process for an arena at a public university in Austin, Texas.
This development is significant, as it marks a rare instance of Trump intervening in a case initiated by his administration. According to a press release from the Justice Department at the time of the indictment, Leiweke was accused of “rigging a bidding process to benefit his own company,” depriving the university and taxpayers of fair competition. Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater stated, “As outlined in the indictment, the Defendant rigged a bidding process to benefit his own company and deprived a public university and taxpayers of the benefits of competitive bidding.”
Adding to the irony, Leiweke has a history of publicly criticizing Trump, labeling him the “single greatest Con man” on social media and commending former Vice President Mike Pence for opposing Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
The legal saga took another twist earlier today when Trump created further chaos among House Republicans by pardoning Henry Cuellar, a conservative Texas Democratic Congressman. Cuellar, along with his wife, faced serious allegations in a $600,000 bribery scheme involving an oil and gas company linked to foreign interests. GOP lawmakers were hoping these charges would facilitate Cuellar’s removal from his South Texas district.
Leiweke’s pardon was championed by former Representative Trey Gowdy, a known ally of Trump, emphasizing the intricate connections within political and business circles. The juxtaposition of these pardons raises critical questions about the integrity of political actions and the implications for future governance.
As this story develops, observers are keenly watching the political ramifications of these pardons. The implications for both Trump and the Republican party could be profound, especially as they navigate an already tumultuous political landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
