business
Trump pardons former Abramoff partner, 9 people convicted of violating vehicle emissions controls
By Michelle L. Price, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 4, 2026
· 3 min read
President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned 11 people, including a former business partner of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and nine people identified by the White House as having helped people bypass emissions control systems on vehicles.The acts of clemency come as Trump has issued a slew of ...
Key takeaway Trump earlier on Friday announced some of the pardons on social media, without identifying any of the recipients by name.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
For residents of Piney Point Village , the recent pardons issued by President Trump may have implications for local air quality. The pardons of nine individuals who helped people bypass emissions control systems on vehicles could embolden others to disable these systems, potentially leading to increased air pollution in the Houston area. This is particularly concerning for a community like Piney Point Village, which is situated within Harris County, where air quality is already a significant concern due to the presence of industrial facilities and heavy traffic. The president's memo telling the Environmental Protection Agency that Americans can fix their own vehicles as they see fit may also have local repercussions, as it could lead to more vehicles on the road emitting higher levels of pollutants, affecting the health and well-being of Piney Point Village residents.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Piney Point stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering business and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned 11 people, including a former business partner of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and nine people identified by the White House as having helped people bypass emissions control systems on vehicles.The acts of clemency come as Trump has issued a slew of ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michelle L. Price, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More business →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter