In mid-August, at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Tysons Corner, Virginia, Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl—known as lobbyists and right-wing provocateurs—met with Ammon Covino, a convicted felon, and his wife, Crystal. The meeting was part of an investigation by CBS News' 60 Minutes into the operations of pardon brokers. Covino, who runs an aquarium and had previously been denied a pardon by the Biden administration, was presented with a proposal: pay $300,000 to secure a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Burkman and Wohl were promoting a new business model centered around leveraging personal connections and influence, rather than the traditional process through the Justice Department. The clemency process, which typically involves submitting a formal request to the Justice Department, has seen a notable shift under Trump. A CBS News analysis found that about 70% of Trump’s clemency actions in his second term were not processed through the Justice Department. Instead, some individuals are turning to brokers who claim they can secure pardons through direct access to the president. Brett Tolman, a former U.S. attorney, explained that applications not submitted directly to the White House may not even be considered. Meanwhile, some brokers have reportedly charged up to $3 million for their services, suggesting a growing influence of private intermediaries in the process. Burkman and Wohl have faced scrutiny in the past. In 2022, they pleaded guilty in Ohio to running an illegal robocall campaign aimed at suppressing the Black vote. They have also been involved in other clemency cases, including one involving Joseph Schwartz, a nursing home operator who received a pardon from Trump. However, victims of Schwartz’s actions expressed disappointment and betrayal. Burkman and Wohl described their strategy as a "pincer movement," using MAGA (Make America Great Again) influencers and insiders to push for pardons. They advised Covino against making political contributions, claiming the president is not transactional. However, rapper Torence Hatch claimed he paid $600,000 for a pardon and is now seeking a refund through arbitration. The White House has denied any involvement with such "lobbyists" and emphasized that the Trump administration’s pardon process is ethical and thorough. A White House spokesperson, Lauren Bis, stated that the process involves White House counsel, the Justice Department, and the president himself. She dismissed the idea that money could buy pardons, calling it a waste. White House Counsel Will Scharf echoed this, insisting that the president acts with integrity. Meanwhile, Ed Martin, a Trump loyalist and former Justice Department pardon attorney, denied the existence of a "transactional pardon economy," stating that clemency decisions are solely the president’s responsibility. Under Trump, the traditional focus of clemency on contrition and rehabilitation has shifted. Some applicants are now encouraged to show no remorse and instead emphasize Trump’s grievances with the justice system. This approach has raised concerns about the fairness of the system, with critics arguing that wealth and connections now play a larger role than genuine remorse. The growing influence of pardon brokers and the apparent departure from historical norms have sparked debates about whether the process remains impartial or has become a tool for political and financial advantage.