Trump Pardons Runner for Grand Teton Trail Violation

President Donald Trump pardoned trail runner Michelino Sunseri on November 10, 2024, absolving him of a federal misdemeanor conviction for briefly using a prohibited trail during a record-setting ascent of Wyoming's Grand Teton peak.

Sunseri, a 33-year-old professional runner from Idaho, completed the challenging round-trip climb of the 13,775-foot mountain in Grand Teton National Park on September 2, 2024. The route spanned approximately 13.2 miles with 7,000 feet of elevation gain, which he finished in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 50 seconds. This time surpassed the previous fastest known time, set by Andy Anderson in 2012, by about two minutes. However, the accomplishment drew scrutiny because Sunseri took a shortcut on his descent, using a non-maintained social trail known as the Old Climbers Trail to bypass a section of the official switchback and avoid encountering casual hikers. Park regulations prohibit off-trail travel to prevent erosion and protect sensitive vegetation, particularly on paths closed for revegetation.

Days after the run, the National Park Service issued Sunseri a citation for violating federal rules. Federal prosecutors pursued the case despite initial...