WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mo Strategies, a federal lobbying firm, registered to lobby for Blessinger Legal in late May for "immigration and pardon-related discussions." The firm received $500,000 from Blessinger Legal for this work, making it one of the largest pardon-related disclosures in the U.S. Senate's database.

Marty Obst, president of Mo Strategies, stated, "We're one of the fastest-growing firms in D.C., and are helping them navigate the landscape and process." He added, "What I've tried to do is provide guidance of what the process looks like, and what types of cases would appeal to this White House." Obst said, "There's a legal process and a political process for pardons and clemency."

Mo Strategies lobbied the White House and the Justice Department for Blessinger Legal this year. Obst noted that Eileen Blessinger, who founded Blessinger Legal, contacted him for guidance on new immigration policies. Blessinger is an attorney who practices immigration law, litigating cases before various U.S. immigration entities and specializing in removal proceedings and employment-based visas. Obst reviewed numerous cases from Blessinger Legal's clients to assess their viability for potential pardons.

Obst indicated that some of these cases involve green-card holders convicted of crimes. He said, "The Biden administration really expanded government reach, sometimes unfairly." Obst added, "In some cases, there were very aggressive prosecutions that seemed highly political," and that "There are cases that qualify as needing further review." He noted, "Whether or not they get a pardon — there are no guarantees to that."

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, stated, "Mr. Trump finds it detestable that anyone would even attempt to profit off pardons." She added, "The administration has a rigorous review process before applications reach the president's desk." A Justice Department spokesperson stated that the department's pardon office has received a record number of clemency applications and will review them to ensure recommendations to the president are consistent, unbiased, and uphold the rule of law. The spokesperson also confirmed, "There has been no departure from this longstanding process."

Obst has held senior roles on Donald Trump's 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Robert Goad, another lobbyist at Mo Strategies, worked in the first Trump administration as a special assistant to the president on domestic policy and developed education policy for Trump's 2016 campaign. Donald Trump has previously pardoned or commuted the sentences of allies who were prosecuted, as well as individuals who hired people with connections to the former president. Senate and House Democrats are investigating several pardons granted by Donald Trump. Obst stated, "I'm preparing for potential oversight from Congress, and so any decisions we make to engage, we are going to make sure it passes muster."