Michelino Sunseri pardon: Trump saves long-distance runner from jail time | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMike BediganTuesday 11 November 2025 21:54 GMTU.S. President Donald Trump salutes during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., November 11, 2025. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)Donald Trump issued a presidential pardon to long-distance runner Michelino Sunseri, who was accused of taking an illegal shortcut during a record-setting race.Sunseri had set a new record for racing up and down the tallest mountain in Grand Teton National Park but was charged by the National Parks Service for using a restricted trail.He was convicted of a misdemeanor and faced a fine up to $5,000 or six months in jail before Trump's intervention, which his lawyers stated ended his “nightmare.”The White House justified Trump's pardon by calling Sunseri's case “a prime example of excessive prosecution” and “overregulation.”Sunseri's legal team argued the regulations were unconstitutional and that other runners had used the trail without consequence, causing no damage to the park.In fullTrump pardons long-distance runner who took a shortcut during record-breaking race: ‘Nightmare is over’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in