President Donald Trump issued a pardon on June 4 for former Indiana Republican Rep. Stephen E. Buyer, who was convicted in 2023 on four securities‑fraud counts. Buyer had been sentenced to 22 months in prison for buying stock ahead of two undisclosed mergers. The clemency was praised by GOP figures including Sen. Roger Wicker, Sen. Lindsey Graham and ex‑Speaker John Boehner.

Prosecutors said Buyer learned of T‑Mobile’s planned acquisition of Sprint from a client and bought $568,000 of Sprint shares, netting more than $107,000 after the deal went public. A second tip from Guidehouse led him to purchase over $1 million of Navigant stock, yielding roughly $227,000 profit. The SEC sought disgorgement of the gains plus interest and a ban on future corporate directorships.

The pardon arrives amid a congressional push to tighten stock‑trading rules for lawmakers after multiple insider‑trading scandals. House Republicans have moved a bill imposing disclosure and holding periods, while Democrats argue the proposal leaves loopholes. Buyer’s clemency underscores the political pressure on reform and may embolden critics who view the pardons as a shield for privileged insiders.