Trump pardons former Tennessee lawmaker imprisoned in campaign fraud scheme

President Trump has pardoned a former Republican Tennessee lawmaker who was two weeks into a 21-month prison sentence for an illegal campaign finance scheme that he pleaded guilty to in 2022, before he tried unsuccessfully to take back his plea.

Former state Sen. Brian Kelsey announced the pardon in a social media post Tuesday evening. He had been ordered to report to FCI Ashland's minimum security satellite camp in Kentucky on Feb. 24.

Kelsey received a "full and unconditional pardon" for his case and authorities were ordered to release him from prison immediately, according to a copy of the president's action provided by Kelsey's attorney.