President Donald Trump has granted full executive pardons to six individuals who he claims were persecuted by the Biden administration for simply fixing their cars. The pardons align with Trump’s broader push to defend the right to repair, which he believes is essential for American consumers.
Background of the Case
The pardons are linked to a federal environmental case involving Elite Diesel Service Inc. and its owner, Troy Lake Sr. Lake received a full and unconditional pardon on November 7, 2025, wiping away his conviction in the case United States v. Elite Diesel Service, Inc. et al. According to federal plea agreements, Elite Diesel had instructed employees to disable computerized on-board diagnostic systems on at least 344 heavy-duty commercial trucks between January 2017 and December 2020.
The diagnostic systems are federally mandated under the Clean Air Act to monitor emissions control systems. Lake was sentenced on December 5, 2024, to more than a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. The company was put on probation for five years, ordered to pay a fine of $37,500, and required to make a $12,500 payment to a Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment program designed to repair emissions systems for low-income drivers.
Trump’s Stance on Right to Repair
Trump’s decision to grant pardons in this case reflects his commitment to defending the right to repair, which he believes is essential for American consumers. The president has signed a presidential memo designed to make it easier for Americans to repair their own vehicles by protecting self-repair rights and opening up options for aftermarket parts.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
