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The White House defended President Trump’s pardon of Binance founder CZ.
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Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the review followed standard DOJ protocol.
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Trump called the case a “Biden witch hunt”, claiming no personal ties to CZ.
Standard Review Process Confirmed
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the pardon of Changpeng Zhao (CZ) underwent a “thorough, multi-step review” before reaching President Trump’s desk. “There’s a whole team of qualified lawyers who review every case,” she said Tuesday.
Trump’s Remarks Clarified
In a CBS 60 Minutes interview, Trump claimed he “didn’t know who Zhao was,” later clarified to mean he had no personal relationship with him. Trump called Zhao’s prosecution “a Biden witch hunt,” framing it as politically motivated.
Background on the Case
CZ, who pled guilty in 2023 to AML violations, served four months in prison before being released in 2024. The pardon sparked both praise and criticism within the crypto community, given CZ’s influence on global crypto markets.
Political and Financial Context
The decision follows reports that Trump-linked World Liberty Financial had explored ties to Binance.US, though both sides dismissed political motives. The White House emphasized the pardon reflected fairness and “a return to balance” in enforcement.
