Former President Donald Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to Michele Fiore, the former Las Vegas city councilwoman known as “Lady Trump,” who was recently convicted of defrauding donors out of $70,000 — money that was intended to honor a fallen police officer but instead was used for her personal expenses.
The pardon comes just days after U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Dorsey denied Fiore’s request for a new trial. The clemency was issued less than a month after Trump appointed Sigal Chattah, a close ally of Fiore, as interim U.S. Attorney for Nevada, according to The Nevada Independent.
Fiore, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate and justice of the peace, was convicted in October 2024 on all seven federal counts against her, including six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy. Prosecutors said that while serving on the city council, she raised over $70,000 from Nevada’s business and political leaders, promising the funds would go toward building a statue in memory of Officer Alyn Beck, who was killed in the line of duty in 2014.
While the memorial statue does stand today, court records revealed that Fiore had nothing to do with funding it. Instead, a development company covered the cost, and the donations collected by Fiore were quickly converted into cash and money orders that she spent on rent, cosmetic surgery, and her daughter’s wedding.
Fiore had faced up to 20 years in prison for each count, and her sentencing was scheduled for next month. However, her attorney has now filed a motion to vacate the sentencing, citing the presidential pardon.
In a statement, the White House defended Trump’s decision, claiming Fiore had been unfairly targeted because of her conservative political views. They praised her as a trailblazer, noting her role as the first female Republican Majority Leader in the Nevada State Assembly.
However, backlash was swift and widespread.
Nevada Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto slammed the pardon, writing on X, “Donald Trump is spitting in the face of law enforcement. Again.”
Nevada State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro echoed the outrage, saying, “Pardoning her solely as a reward for political loyalty is another embarrassing mockery of justice.”
Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford also criticized the move, calling it “a disgrace” and highlighting the damage done to trust in law enforcement.
The controversy around Fiore’s pardon adds to growing concerns about Trump’s use of presidential clemency powers, particularly as he faces criticism for favoring political allies over judicial process.