Former Michigan Congressman Pardoned By President Trump

MICHIGAN — A former Michigan congressman who was convicted of obstructing justice and failing to register as a foreign agent was among 29 people granted pardons or clemency on Wednesday by President Donald Trump.

Trump granted a full pardon to Mark Siljander, 69, who previously served as a member of Michigan's U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 1987. Trump's pardon was supported by Former United States Attorney General Edwin Meese, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt, and Pastor Andrew Brunson, according to a news release issued by the White House.

"During his time in Congress, Mr. Siljander was one of Congress’ most stalwart defenders of pro-life principles and the namesake of the 'Siljander Amendment,' which prohibits U.S. funds from being used to lobby for or against abortion," the White House said in a statement.

Siljander was convicted in 2008 and sentenced to serve more than a year in prison following accusations he accepted stolen funds on behalf of a Missouri charity with alleged terrorism ties, according to The Associated Press.

Prosecutors said an associate had conspired to hire Siljander to lobby for the charity’s removal from a government list of charities suspected of funding international terrorism, according to The Associated Press. The charity closed in October 2004 after being designated a global terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

Siljander was succeeded in office by U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, who in a social media post Thursday said he was "beyond disappointed" Trump's decision to pardon Siljander.

"I am beyond disappointed the President used his pardon authority on Mark Siljander, who accepted a plea bargain and lesser charges and still served a year in federal prison after having been indicted with a series of federal crimes including obstruction of justice, money laundering, and lobbying for an international terrorist group with ties to Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban," Upton said. "Just stunned. I wish the President would instead focus his energy on helping the millions of families and small businesses ravaged by the pandemic."