business
Trump pardons former Abramoff partner, 9 people convicted of violating vehicle emissions controls
By Michelle L. Price, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 4, 2026
· 3 min read
President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned 11 people, including a former business partner of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and nine people identified by the White House as having helped people bypass emissions control systems on vehicles.The acts of clemency come as Trump has issued a slew of ...
Key takeaway Trump earlier on Friday announced some of the pardons on social media, without identifying any of the recipients by name.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The pardons issued by President Trump for individuals who violated vehicle emissions controls may have implications for San Antonio 's ongoing efforts to improve air quality. As a city located in a non-attainment area for ozone pollution, San Antonio has been working to reduce emissions from vehicles and other sources. The pardons, which effectively excuse individuals who disabled emissions monitoring systems or sold devices to bypass them, may be seen as a setback to these efforts. Furthermore, Trump's memo allowing Americans to fix their own vehicles as they see fit, which supersedes the California Air Resources Board's authority to evaluate aftermarket parts, could potentially lead to more polluting vehicles on San Antonio's roads. Local residents and environmental groups may be concerned about the potential impact of these actions on the city's air quality and public health. The city's air quality management plan may need to be reevaluated in light of these developments.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned 11 people, including a former business partner of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and nine people identified by the White House as having helped people bypass emissions control systems on vehicles.The acts of clemency come as Trump has issued a slew of ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michelle L. Price, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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