Former Republican Representative Stephen Buyer of Indiana has been pardoned by President Donald Trump, over a year after his release from prison for insider trading. Buyer, who served in Congress until 2011, was convicted for insider trading related to the $26.5 billion merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, as well as illegal trades involving the management consulting firm Navigant.
Trump issued a "full, complete, and unconditional pardon" for Buyer, highlighting his previous service as a judge advocate general in the Army and his tenure in the House. Buyer stated that the pardon rectifies what he describes as a politically motivated prosecution and maintains his innocence regarding the charges.
In support of the pardon, Trump shared two letters on his Truth Social platform, one signed by over 40 former Republican members of Congress, claiming Buyer was "targeted by the deep state." The other letter was from five current House Republicans.
Although the pardon does not erase Buyer’s criminal record, it may be viewed as an act of mercy. Buyer, 67, was a House prosecutor during President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial and was involved in Trump's transition team in 2016, focusing on veterans' issues. He was sentenced to 22 months in prison in 2023 for his insider trading activities and was released in 2025.