Democrats seek answers from Kennedy and Zeldin over Trump pardons

Democratic lawmakers asked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Lee Zeldin to explain any involvement in pardons for Trevor Milton and Troy Lake by October 20. CBS News published the letters, dated October 6.

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Peter Welch signed the requests alongside Representatives Dave Min and Mary Gay Scanlon. They ask about the officials' relationships with the pardon recipients, any approaches to Donald Trump and involvement in other clemency decisions.

The letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy concerns Nikola founder Trevor Milton, convicted in 2022 of misleading investors and pardoned in March 2025. Lawmakers cite reports of Milton's political donations and ask whether Kennedy advocated on his behalf.

The request to EPA Administrator Zeldin addresses diesel mechanic Troy Lake, convicted in 2024 over a Clean Air Act violation. CBS News reports that an unnamed senior EPA official denied Zeldin recommended a pardon, saying he only relayed facts internally. Consultant Jeff Daugherty also told CBS News that Lake's application followed the normal process without special favors.