President Trump Pardons Former Governor

President Trump pardoned Connecticut’s former Republican Gov. John Rowland, who served as governor from 1995 to 2004.

Rowland also served three terms representing Connecticut’s 5th congressional district in the House of Representatives.

The former governor was convicted in two federal criminal cases, with one leading to his resignation.

Trump pardons ‘humbled’ John G. Rowland, former CT governor https://t.co/7Qanplc9Ge pic.twitter.com/HSGw6pFnVR

— Connecticut Mirror (@CTMirror) May 29, 2025

Fox News reports:

Rowland was released early from federal custody in 2018 after his 2014 conviction for election fraud and obstruction of justice. That was his second stint in prison after his 2004 federal corruption conviction.

In July 2004, Rowland resigned less than halfway through his third term as governor instead of testifying before a special House Committee inquiry. He pleaded guilty that year to his role in a pay-to-play scheme that included $90,000 in luxury flights on Key Air, an Oxford, Connecticut-based airline, to Las Vegas and Florida.

He served 10 months in federal prison and several months of house arrest in that case.

“I am very humbled and appreciative,” Rowland said via email, according to CT Mirror.

“I have been blessed with a wonderful family and friends that have been through a great deal over the years. This is a wonderful final resolution,” he added.

What led to ex.-Gov. John Rowland being pardoned by President Trump? Experts explain https://t.co/lbVtjr1Gsb

— CT Insider (@insider_ct) May 30, 2025

Retired FBI agents criticized the pardon, saying Rowland got what he deserved.

Per CT Mirror:

Retired FBI agents who investigated him begged to differ, as did a member of the bipartisan impeachment committee whose inquiry prompted his resignation as governor nearly 21 years ago.

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“It’s a sad day for justice. Rowland deserved what he got,” said Charles Urso, a former FBI agent who worked on Rowland’s first case, which involved bid rigging. “It’s a misuse of pardons to let off politicians.”

Mike Clark, a retired FBI supervisor who later served as a Republican member of the Farmington town council, said news of the pardon ignited an angry and incredulous text chain.

“We don’t understand the rationale behind it,” said Clark, who worked on the first case and had a unique view of the second. “The public trust has to be upheld. When people stop believing in government, it starts to be a a big problem for government. Rowland betrayed that trust several times.”

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