Dinesh D’Souza
Who pardoned him: Donald Trump
What he was pardoned for: Campaign finance violations
Why it was controversial: Dinesh D’Souza is a conservative author and filmmaker. Campaign finance laws prohibit individuals from donating more than $5,000 to a single candidate, and D’Souza directed two associates to each make $10,000 contributions, for which he reimbursed them. Though he had never met Trump personally prior to his pardon, many felt the pardon came as a result of urgings from D’Souza’s conservative friends.