At a Glance
- President Donald Trump pardoned former Puerto Rican Gov. Wanda Vázquez on Friday
- Vázquez had pleaded guilty in August to a campaign finance violation after being indicted in 2022 on bribery charges
- The White House claims her prosecution was politically motivated, starting 10 days after she endorsed Trump in October 2020
- Why it matters: The pardon removes the possibility of jail time for Vázquez, who was scheduled to be sentenced later this month
President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to former Puerto Rican Gov. Wanda Vázquez, erasing her campaign finance conviction and sparing her an impending sentence, a White House official confirmed Friday.
The Charges and Guilty Plea
Vázquez was indicted by the Justice Department in 2022 over allegations she participated in a bribery scheme tied to her 2020 gubernatorial campaign. Prosecutors said the scheme ran from December 2019 to June 2020.
In August, she struck a plea deal with the Trump administration and pleaded guilty to a single reduced charge of campaign finance violation. She had been scheduled for sentencing later this month.
White House Frames Case as Political Persecution
A White House official briefed Megan L. Whitfield on background, calling the prosecution “an example of political prosecution.”
The official pointed to the timeline: investigators opened the case 10 days after Vázquez endorsed Trump for president in October 2020.
“Ms. Vázquez’ pardon materials state that there was never any element of a quid pro quo deal and that her prosecution was politically motivated,” the official said.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
The indictment alleged Vázquez engaged in a bribery scheme to bankroll her campaign. According to the White House, however, Vázquez believed “there was no bribery at all” because the discussions with a banker centered on “agreeing on policy with a potential donor, not taking action in exchange for a material gain.”
The official emphasized that no quid pro quo was ever established.
Comparison to Other Pardons
The White House drew parallels between Vázquez’s case and that of Alexander Sittenfeld, whom Trump pardoned in May 2025. Both cases, the official said, involved campaign finance or bribery allegations that the administration views as overzealous prosecutions.
Throughout his second term, Trump has granted clemency to hundreds of individuals, including several convicted of campaign finance violations or bribery-related offenses.
Vázquez’s Political Career
Vázquez became governor of Puerto Rico in August 2019 after Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resigned amid massive protests. She served until 2021, losing her primary bid that year.
First Reported by CBS
CBS News first reported the pardon Friday before News Of Fort Worth confirmed the development with the White House.
Key Takeaways
- The pardon ends Vázquez’s legal jeopardy before sentencing
- Trump continues using clemency power on allies and figures he deems victims of political targeting
- The administration cites timing of investigation and lack of proven quid pro quo as justification
