On July 3, 2026, President Donald Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Mackenzie “Mac” Spurlock, a Wasilla, Alaska, diesel mechanic. Spurlock had been convicted of a felony charge for modifying diesel vehicles to keep them operational in Alaska’s freezing temperatures.

Background

According to Senator Dan Sullivan, dozens of armed EPA agents stormed Spurlock’s home and small business in Wasilla, charging him with criminal tampering. The conviction stemmed from evidence showing Spurlock removed required air-pollution controls on vehicles with diesel engines. However, Senator Sullivan argued that these modifications were necessary for safety and survival in cold states like Alaska, where diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) freezes at just 12 degrees Fahrenheit and federally mandated emissions systems often fail.

Under current EPA regulations, diesel trucks and heavy equipment must use emissions systems that can trigger engine shutdowns if a fault is detected. In cold weather, these emissions components, including DEF, often struggle to reach or maintain proper operating temperatures, causing the system to register faults even when the engine is running normally. These systems have created life-threatening situations for truckers, including one whose vehicle shut down in a blizzard on the Dalton Highway.

Pardon and Reaction

Following the President’s pardon, Senator Sullivan commented: “My constituents should not be branded criminals for prioritizing safety and reliability in conditions that federal regulators did not adequately consider.” Without a pardon, Spurlock would have spent the rest of his life stripped of his right to vote, barred from hunting in Alaska, and blocked from re-enlisting in the Alaska Air National Guard.

Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.