The White House announced that President Donald Trump granted a “full, complete, and unconditional pardon” to former Republican Indiana Representative Stephen Buyer. This decision reverses Buyer’s 2023 federal conviction for profiting from insider information, which had led to a 22-month prison sentence.

Buyer previously chaired the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and served as a House prosecutor during former President Bill Clinton’s 1998 impeachment trial. He was found guilty of exploiting nonpublic insider information after leaving office.

The White House’s proclamation highlighted Buyer’s “distinguished” service as a judge advocate general in the U.S. Army and his years as a U.S. representative from 1993 to 2011. The pardon was endorsed by over 50 current and former lawmakers, including Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Roger Wicker, former House Speaker John Boehner, and others.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was tasked with administering the pardon by obtaining a certificate of pardon for Buyer.

Buyer’s conviction involved allegations of purchasing stock in Navigant shortly before one of his clients, Guidehouse, acquired it. He was also accused of buying Sprint shares after learning about an upcoming merger with T-Mobile.

“During proceedings, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman cited Buyer’s obstruction of justice due to false court explanations for his trades.”

Buyer’s legal team sought a sentence of home confinement and community service, arguing financial ruin due to litigation costs. Despite having once earned up to $2.2 million annually, Buyer and his wife faced financial challenges such as selling their home and his wife returning to work at age 65.

Ultimately, Judge Berman sentenced Buyer to 22 months, ordered forfeiture of $354,027 gained from illicit trades, and imposed a $10,000 fine.

Federal prosecutors requested Buyer pay $1.4 million for legal fees, but the judge denied this request.