At a Glance
- Elizabeth Holmes seeks a commutation from President Trump to leave prison early.
- Trump has granted over 1,600 pardons, including many fraud cases.
- The move could set a precedent for high-profile pardons and restitution issues.
Elizabeth Holmes, the Theranos founder who was sentenced to 11 years for fraud, has requested a commutation from President Donald Trump that would allow her to exit prison many years early. The request, reported by Bloomberg and the Substack of Liz Oyer, could signal a new chapter in Trump’s post-presidential use of pardon powers.
Holmes’ Prison Status
Holmes reported to the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Bryan in Bryan, Texas, in May 2023. She was convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2022, and her sentence was set for 11 years. The commutation would not erase the $452 million in restitution she owes to investors.
Trump’s Pardon History
Since taking office for a second term in January 2025, Trump has granted pardons and commutations to over 1,600 people. Roughly 1,500 of those were involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 coup attempt. The DOJ website lists 14 pardons issued last week, nine of which involved fraud.
| Category | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Pardons | 1,600+ | Includes fraud, Jan. 6, and other cases |
| Jan. 6 Pardons | 1,500 | Majority of recent clemency actions |
| Fraud Pardons (last week) | 9 | Demonstrates ongoing focus on financial crimes |
High-Profile Cases
Trump’s clemency has touched several well-known figures:
- Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola, was ordered to pay $660 million in restitution; after a pardon last year, he owes nothing.
- Milton and his wife donated $1.8 million to Trump in 2024.
- Adriana Camberos received a commutation twice: once in 2021 for a fraud conviction and again last week for an unrelated fraud case.
- Other notable names include Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht.
The Commutation Request
Holmes has only asked for a commutation, not a full pardon. A commutation would reduce her sentence but leave restitution intact. It is unclear why she opted for a partial request, especially given her high-profile status.
“Our healthcare system is fundamentally broken when we need help from POTUS to get treatment,” said the Holmes account. “Context: Scott Adams needed immediate access to life saving treatment. he needed President Trump’s help as nothing else was working. He pleaded on X, and the President helped him.”
Public and Political Reactions
Sources told News Of Austin that Trump’s pardon powers have been controversial, especially after the firing of former DOJ pardon attorney Liz Oyer for refusing to restore gun rights to actor Mel Gibson. Oyer was fired after she declined to comply with a Trump request.
The potential commutation has sparked debate over the balance between executive clemency and accountability. Some argue that allowing Holmes to leave early could undermine the restitution process, while others see it as a political statement.
Key Takeaways
- Holmes’ commutation request could set a new precedent for high-profile pardons.
- Trump’s pardon record includes over 1,600 cases, many of them fraud.
- The request does not erase the $452 million restitution owed by Holmes.
- Public reaction remains mixed, reflecting broader tensions over executive clemency.
