business
Trump pardons former Abramoff partner, 9 people convicted of violating vehicle emissions controls
By Michelle L. Price, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 4, 2026
· 3 min read
President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned 11 people, including a former business partner of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and nine people identified by the White House as having helped people bypass emissions control systems on vehicles.The acts of clemency come as Trump has issued a slew of ...
Key takeaway Trump earlier on Friday announced some of the pardons on social media, without identifying any of the recipients by name.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The recent pardons issued by President Trump have implications for Pearland residents who own or work on vehicles. With nine individuals pardoned for violating vehicle emissions controls, it raises questions about the enforcement of emissions regulations in Brazoria County. The pardons come on the heels of a memo signed by Trump allowing Americans to modify their vehicles as they see fit, which may lead to an increase in emissions-bypassing devices being installed in local vehicles. This could potentially impact air quality in the Pearland area, which is already affected by its proximity to the Houston metropolitan area. As the city continues to grow and develop, it will be important for local authorities to monitor the impact of these pardons and the memo on emissions regulations, and to consider measures to mitigate any negative effects on air quality.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned 11 people, including a former business partner of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and nine people identified by the White House as having helped people bypass emissions control systems on vehicles.The acts of clemency come as Trump has issued a slew of ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michelle L. Price, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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