WASHINGTON — A lobbying firm founded by former advisers to President Donald Trump has expanded into representing clients seeking presidential pardons, according to federal lobbying disclosures, with its first engagement generating a reported fee of $500,000 for work involving immigration and clemency matters.
The firm, Mo Strategies, registered in late May to represent Blessinger Legal, a Northern Virginia law firm, in what lobbying records describe as “immigration and pardon-related discussions” with the White House and the Justice Department. According to federal disclosures reviewed by CBS News, the initial engagement has already produced $500,000 in income for the lobbying firm.
Marty Obst, president of Mo Strategies, confirmed the engagement in an interview with CBS News and said the firm expects additional work in the growing clemency sector. “Business is booming,” Obst said, according to the report.
Mo Strategies was established after Trump's return to office by former campaign and administration officials and has represented a range of corporate and policy clients. The addition of pardon-related lobbying reflects a niche practice that has gained attention as individuals convicted of federal crimes seek executive clemency through legal and political advocates. Federal law permits lobbying on behalf of clients provided disclosure requirements are met.
The disclosure comes as congressional Democrats have increased scrutiny of the administration's clemency process. Earlier this month, Senator Peter Welch and Representative Dave Min asked the White House, the Justice Department and the U.S. Secret Service to preserve records related to recent pardons, citing concerns about potential “pay-to-play” dynamics. The lawmakers said their request was intended to determine whether improper considerations had influenced any clemency decisions. The White House has rejected those allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
The U.S. Constitution grants the president broad authority to issue pardons for federal offenses, and administrations of both parties have faced lobbying by lawyers and outside advisers seeking clemency for clients. Ethics experts have long noted that while lobbying for pardons is legal, transparency in the process remains a recurring subject of debate.
Neither the White House nor the Justice Department announced any policy changes related to pardon applications this week. Details regarding the identities of individuals who may ultimately seek clemency through the new lobbying engagement remain unclear, and there is no indication in the public disclosures that any pardon has been granted as a result of the firm's representation.
