Donald Trump brought two Alaska diesel mechanics onstage at a rally in Wasilla and signed pardon documents for them as the crowd watched, Fox News reported. Trump identified the men as Zachary Czubak and Patrick Fleming, co-owners of an Anchorage diesel repair shop who pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act.
“I’m giving each one of the three an unconditional pardon,” Trump said, also referencing an earlier pardon for Mackenzie “Mac” Spurlock, according to Fox News. One of the men thanked Trump and described the toll of the case: “It really did destroy us. It destroyed friendships. It destroyed families.”
The case federal prosecutors brought
According to the Biden Justice Department, Czubak and Fleming were among three co-owners of “Arm Rippin Toys” who admitted removing required emissions-control equipment and tampering with monitoring devices on at least 37 diesel vehicles between July 2019 and September 2020. The shop collected about $100,000 for the modifications, federal prosecutors said at the time.
Pipeline claim at the same rally
During the event, Trump also said a long-discussed 800-mile natural gas pipeline had received every needed federal permit. “Every single permit that you need, you can start tonight,” he told the crowd. “Every single permit that you need has been granted.” Fox News said it asked the White House for additional details on the project’s federal permitting status.
Onstage signature, Biden jab
As he signed the clemency paperwork onstage, Trump took aim at President Biden’s use of an autopen: “So I’m going to sign this now, something that Joe Biden would be unable to do because he was unable to sign his signature.” He added, “What an honor. I love doing this stuff.”
