Pakistan, June 6 -- President Donald Trump has pardoned former Republican congressman Stephen Buyer, who was convicted of securities fraud in a high-profile insider trading case. The decision is significant because it removes federal penalties linked to the conviction and revives debate over presidential clemency powers. The pardon directly affects Buyer, whose legal appeals had been exhausted after years of court proceedings.

The White House announced the pardon on Friday through an official proclamation signed by Trump. The document granted Buyer a full, complete, and unconditional pardon. It praised his service as a U.S. Army judge advocate general and congressman. Moreover, the proclamation stated that Trump acted on recommendations ...