Pay-to-Play Questions Prompt Congressional Look at Trump's Pardons

Democrats in both chambers have opened an inquiry into whether President Trump's clemency decisions were influenced by money or favors, sending letters to more than a dozen recipients (including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, nursing-home operator Joseph Schwartz, and Nikola founder Trevor Milton) to uncover intermediaries, donations, and communications with officials, and to assess the impact on victims who lost restitution. With Democrats in the minority, subpoenas aren’t available, but oversight could intensify if they win majorities in the upcoming midterms.