President Donald Trump’s use of the presidential pardon power is back at the forefront of political news. Throughout his two terms in the White House, the 80-year-old Republican has pardoned or granted clemency to a long list of convicted felons. According to reports, PGA caddie Eric Larson became one of Trump’s latest pardon recipients. The longtime bag carrier previously golfed with the president at his West Palm Beach course. President Trump’s latest pardon as critic calling foul. (Photo by Christopher Furlong / Getty Images) Larson is the longtime caddie for American golfer Harris English, who finished second at the 2025 British Open. English was without Larson on his bag for the tournament. The British government denied Larson, 66, entry into the country due to his past conviction in the United States. Trump may have now freed him from those restrictions. “I’m very fortunate. I’m grateful. I got a chance now,” Larson told the New York Post. He reportedly missed out on around $126,000 in commission from English’s British Open second-place finish. While the White House did not publicly announce the pardon, Trump called Larson and English to inform them about the decision.  “I’m just so pumped for Eric that he can have his rights back,” English stated. “And travel to be by my side and work for me specifically at the Scottish Open and the British Open.” The Golf Channel reported that English pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in 1995. He served slightly over 10 years in prison before being released to a halfway house in 2005. A criminal record for dealing cocaine led to the U.K. banning Larson. The pardon now on the books could clear a path for Larson to rejoin English at tournaments overseas. Former members of Trump’s inner circle have received pardons for various crimes, igniting outrage. The president has given several high-profile athletes and musicians amnesty as well. Larson admitted to being aware of the ongoing scandals surrounding alleged pardon scams during the Trump administration. But he insisted his process was aboveboard. “The Department of Justice went through all my paperwork and all my prison paperwork. It went through the process,” he said. “I want it to be based on my merits, not because I know him.” Many social media users rejected the idea that Larson did not literally and figuratively play ball with Trump to secure his pardon. “Just flagrant open corruption,” one person on X suggested. Similarly, someone tweeted, “Of course he did. I wonder how much he paid for the pardon… hmmm.”  “How much did they pay Trump for this pardon, or are pardons free for his golf buddies?” wondered a third commenter.  Another poster exclaimed, “Trump is freeing all criminals! And getting away with it!”  A like-minded critic wrote, “It’s get out of jail free time for the elites.” “It’s all a joke,” one cynic complained. Additionally, a fed-up Trump detractor declared, “Most corrupt administration in history.” Someone simply expressed, “Unbelievable.” Like American presidents before him, Trump fully embraces the pardon power for his political and personal gain. However, the MAGA boss has garnered mixed reactions over whom he has selected to absolve of their crimes. Criminal justice advocate Alice Marie Johnson became a national figure Trump commuted her life sentence in 2018. Johnson had served nearly 22 years in federal prison after being convicted of federal drug offenses. Trump later granted her a full pardon in 2020. Reality television star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian played a significant role in advocating for Johnson’s release. Kardashian’s participation shined a light on the case, which generated public sympathy. Trump pardoning associates like GOP strategist Steve Bannon and the 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was received less favorably.  Recently, Louisiana-bred rapper Torence “Boosie Badazz” Hatch Jr. found himself caught up in a presidential pardon controversy involving right-wing political operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman. The “Wipe Me Down” hitmaker filed a $300,000 lawsuit against JM Burkman Associates. Boosie, 43, claimed he paid the firm $600,000 to lobby for him to get pardoned for his federal firearm conviction, but the pardon never happened.  Boosie Badazz says he paid pardon brokers $600,000 upfront. But he never got a pardon. https://t.co/uBiTNKcqjc pic.twitter.com/CkJd3E9cdl— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 14, 2026 ‘Just Flagrant Corruption’: Trump Quietly Makes a Move for a Man Convicted of Dealing Cocaine — Then Critics Connect the Dots to His Golf Course ...read more read less