Trump Announces Full Pardons for Six in Diesel Emissions Case

President Donald Trump announced full executive pardons for six people on Friday. " and described the cases as part of the "Weaponization and Stupidity" of the prior administration. " The pardons follow a presidential memo signed earlier in the week that protects self-repair rights and expands options for aftermarket vehicle parts.

Owner of Elite Diesel Service Inc. Lake received a full and unconditional pardon on November 7, 2025, for his conviction in United States v. et al. Federal plea agreements state the company instructed employees to disable on-board diagnostic systems on at least 344 heavy-duty trucks between January 2017 and December 2020.

Lake was sentenced on December 5, 2024, to more than a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. The company received five years of probation, a $37,500 fine, and a $12,500 payment to a Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment program. Prosecutors said the tampered trucks released more than 1,300 tons of excess nitrogen oxides and other pollutants.

The EPA investigation involved eight alleged co-conspirator garages and fleets across seven states, including Kansas, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. " The Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney website has not yet listed the six people granted clemency. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.