Trump Pardons Convicted Trail Runner Michelino Sunseri

"IT'S FINALLY OVER. Well the trail trial of the century is officially over, Sunseri wrote on Facebook Monday. In an unbelievable twist that even Hollywood couldn't write, I woke up this morning to find out I've been given a PRESIDENTIAL PARDON from Donald J. Trump over the Grand Teton FKT and my use of the Old Climber's Trail. In September 2024, Sunseri used the restricted trail while making his way down the Grand Teton."

"We are thrilled that Michelino's nightmare is over, but we're not done fighting against unconstitutional regulations that give low-level park officials the power to criminalize harmless conduct, Michael Poon, an attorney with PLF, said. We are ready to help other Americans who face criminal prosecution for breaking park rules that were illegally created. Sunseri was convicted in September for taking the prohibited trail. He argued that officials tried to make an example out of him."

"The runner and PLF both argued that plenty of others had used the restricted trail in the past. This case was a massive waste of taxpayer money and government energy from the start, he said. Unfortunately, instead of working with me, the system tried to make an example of me. I know this pardon might get swept up in politics in this heated time, and that's unfortunate because this particular case is about fairness and common sense."

President Donald Trump issued a pardon to Michelino Sunseri for using the prohibited Old Climber's Trail on the Grand Teton. Sunseri ran the mountain in September 2024 and set a Grand Teton FKT while descending the restricted route. National Park Service regulations led to charges and a conviction for taking the prohibited trail. The Pacific Legal Foundation aided Sunseri and called the pardon the end of his nightmare while pledging to challenge regulations that it deems unconstitutional. Sunseri and PLF argued that others had used the trail and that enforcement was an unfair example of punitive action.

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