Former President Donald Trump has granted full pardons to two Metropolitan Police Department officers convicted in a 2020 fatal chase, sparking controversy and debate over presidential clemency powers.
He’s not pardoning murderers like Joe Biden. He’s having mercy on people embroiled in tragedy.
At a Glance
- Trump pardoned officers Andrew Zabavsky and Terrance Sutton, convicted in the death of Karon Hylton-Brown
- The officers were involved in a high-speed chase that violated police policies
- Zabavsky received 4 years for conspiracy, Sutton 5.5 years for murder
- The DC Police Union collaborated with Trump to secure the pardons
- The pardons have faced scrutiny and criticism from various quarters
Presidential Pardon Details
On January 22, 2025, former President Donald Trump exercised his executive clemency power to grant full and unconditional pardons to former Metropolitan Police Department officers Andrew Zabavsky and Terrance Sutton. The officers had been convicted for their involvement in a deadly 2020 chase that resulted in the death of Karon Hylton-Brown, an incident that sparked protests and raised questions about police conduct.
The executive grant of clemency, issued by Trump, specifically pardoned Terence Sutton for convictions in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. These convictions included violations of section 2103, title 22, District of Columbia Code; section 371, title 18, United States Code; and section 1512, title 18, United States Code.
The pardoned officers were involved in a high-speed chase on October 23, 2020, which violated police policies and resulted in Hylton-Brown’s death. Following the incident, the officers engaged in a cover-up, including misleading their Commanding Officer and drafting a false police report. This led to their convictions and subsequent sentencing.
“Crimes like this erode that trust and are a disservice to the community and the thousands of officers who work incredibly hard, within the bounds of the Constitution, to keep us safe,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves said.
Zabavsky was sentenced to four years for conspiracy, while Sutton received five years and six months for murder. Despite these sentences, both officers had remained free pending an appeal. The pardons effectively nullify these convictions and their associated penalties.
Trump’s Rationale and Controversy
Trump’s decision to pardon the officers has been met with mixed reactions. The former president, in explaining his decision, made controversial statements about the case.
“In fact, I’m going to be letting two officers from Washington—I believe they’re from D.C., but I just approved it. They were arrested and put in jail for five years because they went after an illegal, and I guess something happened where something went wrong. They arrested the two officers to put them in jail for going after a criminal,” Trump said.
Breaking – President Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to former DC Police officer Terence Sutton who was convicted of murder in the death of Karon Hylton Brown. pic.twitter.com/I6QMxfcGIs
— Paul Wagner (@paulcwagner) January 22, 2025
It’s important to note that Trump’s characterization of Hylton-Brown as an “illegal” is unsubstantiated, with no evidence supporting this claim. This mischaracterization has added to the controversy surrounding the pardons.