Trump Issues Pardon for Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández

WASHINGTON — December 2, 2025

THE WHITE HOUSE confirmed Monday that President Donald Trump has granted a presidential pardon to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who had been serving a 45-year federal sentence for cocaine-trafficking and firearms-related federal offenses. Shortly after the announcement, the public inmate-custody database maintained by THE BUREAU OF PRISONS updated Hernández’s status to reflect that he is no longer in federal custody.

According to publicly available criminal case records from THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Hernández was convicted in the Southern District of New York following a multi-year federal investigation into cocaine shipments moving through Honduras and into the United States. Federal court filings show that a jury returned guilty verdicts on multiple trafficking and weapons charges before the trial judge imposed a 45-year sentence. No changes to the conviction itself were reported in connection with the clemency.

The New York Times reported that Hernández sent President Trump a personal letter ahead of the pardon, and the outlet described the letter as containing flattery and claims of political persecution. Appalachian Post reviewed available first-hand federal sources, including the official clemency proclamation, court records, and relevant agency statements. We did not locate any first-hand federal documentation releasing or describing such a letter, and THE WHITE HOUSE has not issued any public statement regarding its contents. Because Appalachian Post could not confirm the existence or details of the correspondence through first-hand sources, we cannot verify this portion of the reporting.

The New York Times also reported that Hernández’s letter was delivered to the president through an intermediary and played a role in the timing of the pardon. Appalachian Post reviewed available first-hand federal materials, including public schedules, press statements, and clemency-related documentation. We did not find first-hand evidence confirming the delivery process or its influence. As a result, Appalachian Post cannot verify that portion of the reporting.

The New York Times further described U.S. maritime counter-narcotics actions near Venezuela as “highly controversial” and “potentially illegal.” Appalachian Post reviewed available first-hand statements from THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, THE PENTAGON, and UNITED STATES SOUTHERN COMMAND concerning maritime interdiction operations. We did not locate any first-hand federal documentation describing the operations referenced in those terms, nor did we find any federal record announcing an investigation into their legality. Because Appalachian Post could not confirm this characterization through first-hand sources, we cannot verify that part of the reporting.

The New York Times additionally stated that most of President Trump’s second-term clemency actions have been granted to individuals connected to the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. Appalachian Post reviewed available first-hand federal records from THE WHITE HOUSE, THE OFFICE OF THE PARDON ATTORNEY, and THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE regarding clemency actions and related prosecutions. While THE WHITE HOUSE previously issued a clemency proclamation affecting federally convicted January 6 defendants, we did not find first-hand federal documentation providing an official numerical breakdown categorizing total clemency actions by offense type. Because no such breakdown was found in first-hand records, Appalachian Post cannot verify the claim that January 6 defendants represent a majority of overall clemency actions.

Regional media in Honduras reported statements from Hernández’s wife confirming his release. Appalachian Post verified his release through the public BUREAU OF PRISONS custody database. No additional first-hand federal information has been issued regarding post-release travel permissions, immigration procedures, or future legal considerations.

This report includes only information Appalachian Post confirmed through first-hand government records and publicly documented federal sources. Claims reported by secondary outlets are clearly attributed, and Appalachian Post states what we could or could not confirm through direct review of first-hand federal documentation. No speculation or interpretation is included.

Sources
THE WHITE HOUSE. (2025). Public clemency confirmation.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (2024–2025). Criminal case filings and conviction records for Juan Orlando Hernández.
BUREAU OF PRISONS. (2025). Inmate custody status update.
OFFICE OF THE PARDON ATTORNEY. (2025). Federal clemency records.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE / UNITED STATES SOUTHERN COMMAND. (2025). Public statements on maritime interdiction operations.

Secondary Attribution-Based Sources
The New York Times. (2025, December 2). Reporting on alleged correspondence, characterizations of operations, and clemency distribution.