On November 8, 2025, President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to Troy Lake, a 65-year-old diesel mechanic from Wyoming. Lake had spent seven months in federal prison for altering and removing emissions systems on malfunctioning diesel engines. Initially sentenced to one year and one day, he was released early to home confinement in September, during which he was also fined $52,000.

Upon receiving the news of his pardon, Lake expressed relief, having previously believed he would live as a convicted felon, stripped of rights such as voting and firearm possession. U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, who advocated for Lake's pardon, conveyed her surprise that such a pardon was necessary, emphasizing the perceived injustice of his prosecution.

Lake's wife, Holly, reacted emotionally upon learning of the pardon while driving, marking a significant moment after years of federal scrutiny that began with a raid by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2018. Lake expressed a desire to assist others in the diesel industry and to promote reforms regarding emissions regulations, highlighting the economic impact of stringent emissions repairs on small businesses.

Both Troy and Holly Lake acknowledged the support they received from various lawmakers and advocates who rallied for their cause. Political consultant Jeff Daugherty, a family friend, described the pardon as a victory for ordinary citizens against perceived government overreach. Lummis reiterated her commitment to addressing what she characterized as the weaponization of federal agencies against working Americans, a sentiment that reflects broader concerns about the implications of regulatory enforcement on small businesses.

Troy Lake's case illustrates the evolving landscape of emissions regulations, which have shifted from civil penalties to criminal prosecutions in recent years. His work, which began around 2007, involved modifying diesel emissions controls, a practice that has become widespread among mechanics facing the challenges posed by increasingly complex federal regulations. The pardon not only restores Lake's rights but also raises questions about the balance between environmental regulations and the livelihoods of those in the diesel industry.