President Donald Trump just dropped a bombshell pardon that’s got the outdoor world buzzing.
On Monday, November 10, 2025, Trump extended clemency to Michelino Sunseri, a 33-year-old trail runner who broke records and rules while scaling Wyoming’s towering Grand Teton peak, only to face legal heat for a forbidden detour.
Let’s rewind to September 2, 2024, when Sunseri tackled the 13,775-foot Grand Teton with jaw-dropping speed.
He clocked an astonishing 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 50 seconds, snagging the fastest known time for the ascent and descent.
But here’s the snag—during his downhill sprint, Sunseri veered off the designated path to dodge casual hikers.
That shortcut, while practical, broke national park rules designed to prevent erosion, landing him in hot water.
In September 2024, Sunseri was convicted of a misdemeanor for straying off-trail, a move that sparked debate about park regulations.
Prosecutors initially offered a deal—60 hours of community service and a wilderness stewardship course to dismiss the case, according to his legal team.
Yet, before that could play out, Trump stepped in with a pardon that wiped the slate clean.
Sunseri didn’t hold back on social media, celebrating the unexpected turn of events with a mix of relief and defiance.
“In an unbelievable twist that even Hollywood couldn’t write, I woke up this morning to find out I’ve been given a PRESIDENTIAL PARDON from Donald J. Trump — over the Grand Teton FKT and my use of the Old Climber’s Trail,” Sunseri posted on Facebook.
Hollywood twist or not, one has to wonder if this pardon highlights a bigger issue—should a record-breaking athlete be handcuffed by rules meant for Sunday strollers?
Sunseri also took a swipe at the legal process, calling it a misuse of resources with, “This case was a massive waste of taxpayer money and government energy from the start.”
Hard to argue with that when park officials seem more obsessed with trail purity than tackling real environmental threats—perhaps it’s time to rethink these overzealous regulations before more folks get caught in bureaucratic quicksand.
His attorney, Michael Poon from Pacific Legal Foundation, echoed the frustration, stating, “We are thrilled that Michelino’s nightmare is over, but we’re not done fighting against unconstitutional regulations that give low-level park officials the power to criminalize harmless conduct.”
Poon’s words cut to the heart of a conservative concern—when did petty park rules become a federal hammer?
The pardon itself, described as apolitical, stands apart from other recent clemency actions by Trump, including a batch of 77 pardons tied to a separate controversy just days prior on November 9, 2025.
Still, Sunseri’s case offers a refreshing reminder that sometimes, common sense can prevail over the nanny-state tendencies creeping into every corner of American life, even our national parks.
