- Net worth
- Unknown
- Crimes
- fake electors, obstruction, other
- Convicted of
- Preemptive pardon for potential federal charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election
- Original sentence
- N/A (preemptive pardon; no federal conviction)
- Time served
- N/A
Background
Boris Epshteyn is a Republican political strategist, attorney, and investment banker who has been a long-time Trump advisor. He immigrated to the United States from Moscow, Soviet Union, as a refugee in 1993 with his family. He graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service and later earned a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. After law school, he worked in the finance practice at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy and served as a communications aide on John McCain's presidential campaign.
The Case
Epshteyn was never federally charged or convicted, but he received a preemptive federal pardon from President Trump in November 2025 as part of a batch of 77 pardons for allies involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The pardon was described as "full, complete, and unconditional" but was largely symbolic since presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes and Epshteyn had no federal convictions.
Epshteyn has been a long-time Trump advisor, serving as a senior advisor to Trump's 2016 campaign and strategic advisor on the 2020 campaign. Following the 2016 election, he was named director of communications for the Presidential Inaugural Committee and later served as assistant communications director for surrogate operations in the White House until resigning in March 2017. Since January 2025, he is Trump's personal senior counsel.
Epshteyn was part of Trump's legal team attempting to overturn the 2020 election results and in April 2024 was indicted in Arizona for his alleged role in the fake elector plot. Despite criticism from some Trump allies, he has maintained extraordinary influence in Trump's inner circle. Reports indicate he coordinates Trump's legal defenses and has been granted significant authority in the transition team.
The Pardon
On November 9, 2025, President Trump granted Epshteyn a full pardon along with 76 other allies tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The pardon was issued preemptively, before any federal charges were filed. The proclamation covered conduct "relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of Presidential electors" in connection with the 2020 election.