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mahatmakanejeeves

(67,480 posts)
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 04:57 AM Tuesday

'Nightmare is over': Trump pardons Grand Teton trail runner who took a shortcut

Source: SFGATE

NATIONAL PARKS
'Nightmare is over': Trump pardons Grand Teton trail runner who took a shortcut

By Kylie Mohr,
Big Sky Country Contributing Parks Editor
Nov 10, 2025


Michelino Sunseri after setting a speed running record of the Grand Teton in September 2024, as depicted in a screenshot of Racing Grand Teton Act 1 Trailer.
Screenshot via YouTube

A high-altitude trail running record attempt gone wrong in Grand Teton National Park, and the year-long criminal trial it set off, has reached the office of the President of the United States.

President Trump pardoned Michelino Sunseri, a North Face athlete prosecuted by the National Park Service for taking an illegal shortcut during a record-breaking run, on Friday. Pacific Legal Foundation, a law firm representing Sunseri, announced the news today

{snip}

On Sept. 2, 2024, Sunseri raced 13.2 miles up and down the tallest mountain in Grand Teton National Park. He broke previous speed records and created his own: 2 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds.

But in doing so, Sunseri chose to cut a trail switchback, going off the main trail and onto one the Park Service said is closed to the public. A month after his record-setting run, park rangers cited Sunseri with violating federal regulations meant to protect natural resources in national parks.

{snip}

Read more: https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/trump-pardons-grand-teton-national-park-runner-21156652.php



With a 'surreal' stroke of his pen, Trump pardons Grand Teton speed runner Michelino Sunseri

https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/environmental/local/with-a-surreal-stroke-of-his-pen-trump-pardons-grand-teton-speed-runner-michelino-sunseri/article_2048aab6-e822-45c1-9f36-ab4c2db002f8.html

Managing editor 1 hr ago


Trail runner Michelino Sunseri visits with his legal team during a recess of his federal trial in May. President Trump pardoned him Friday.
BRADLY J. BONER/JACKSON HOLE DAILY FILE

In a stunning end to a legal case centered around mountain running, trail ethics and speed records, President Trump pardoned Michelino Sunseri on Friday afternoon, according to Sunseri's attorneys.

In September, a federal judge found Sunseri guilty of cutting a switchback while attempting to set a speed record on the Grand Teton in 2024. Just over two months later, and before Sunseri's sentencing, the most powerful man in America cleaned Sunseri's record.

{snip}
----------
Judge balks at deal proposed for runner, convicted switchback cutter Michelino Sunseri

By Billy Arnold / Managing editor Oct 21, 2025 Updated Oct 21, 2025

After a last-minute intervention from a newly appointed U.S. Attorney for Wyoming, mountain runner Michelino Sunseri was not sentenced in federal court Tuesday morning.

Instead, U.S. Attorney Darin Smith, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in August, and Sunseri's defense team reached an agreement. Sunseri's guilty conviction would be expunged from his record if he completes 60 hours of community service as well as an educational course, and complies with a year of probation -- a better deal, even, than one proposed earlier by Sunseri's defense attorneys.

{snip}
—————
Cheyenne state senator with Trump's backing appointed U.S. attorney for Wyoming

https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/state/local/cheyenne-state-senator-with-trumps-backing-appointed-u-s-attorney-for-wyoming/article_70b8dc0f-0197-4e45-91a4-d88f3ceb7441.html

By Jasmine Hall / State Government Reporter Aug 19, 2025 Updated Aug 19, 2025
Former Sen. Darin Smith


Then-Sen. Darin Smith, R-Cheyenne, speaks during the morning session of the 68th Wyoming Legislature in the Senate Chambers earlier this year.
MICHAEL SMITH

After serving as a state senator in Cheyenne for less than a year, Darin Smith resigned and took an oath of office last week to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming.

President Trump nominated Smith to serve a full four-year term on July 30, but the Senate, which is required to confirm presidential nominees, hasn’t taken action yet. Without Senate confirmation, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Smith to serve as interim U.S. Attorney. He was sworn in on Aug. 11 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly Rankin.

{snip}
27 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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'Nightmare is over': Trump pardons Grand Teton trail runner who took a shortcut (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Tuesday OP
Cheaters are... 2naSalit Tuesday #1
Is this real or from The Onion. Irish_Dem Tuesday #2
Initially, I had the same response. 70sEraVet Tuesday #8
I still don't believe it. Irish_Dem Tuesday #12
But, of course. Trump has probably never visited a single National Park and doesn't give a damn about them except hlthe2b Tuesday #3
His nightmare is over Blumancru Tuesday #4
Lawlessness Botany Tuesday #5
Any fun crook appeals to Donald's heart. lildDemz Tuesday #15
Yea, but these losers fired most of them so I guess it no longer matters. travelingthrulife Tuesday #17
We're bombing civilians in boats. milestogo Tuesday #6
I have to wonder that if, by the end of Trumps term, he will have pardoned Every crook in the USA??? riversedge Tuesday #7
he will have pardoned every WHITE crook in the USA DBoon Tuesday #18
Thanks for the correction. You are most likely spot on!! riversedge Tuesday #20
A rubber stamp for cheating. Vinca Tuesday #9
So he did not sex traffic hundreds of kids, or defraud people out of billions of dollars? mackdaddy Tuesday #10
Here's the Reddit discussion: mahatmakanejeeves Tuesday #11
Wow, cocaine too. He cheated in multiple ways. txwhitedove Tuesday #14
At first I thought this sounded like a lot of hoohah over a little thing... Stuckinthebush Tuesday #21
That's helpful, thanks. nilram Tuesday #26
One wonders... lonely bird Tuesday #13
No criminal left behind. travelingthrulife Tuesday #16
tsf & repugs love criminals & cheaters Nigrum Cattus Tuesday #19
Of course, drumphf is going to support a cheater! 😑 electric_blue68 Tuesday #22
Because yeah, fuck Nature and the people who try to protect it. Trmp's kind of guy ! nt eppur_se_muova Tuesday #23
This reminds me of back in the 90s when someone sent Hilary Clinton a feather and in a stunning PatrickforB Tuesday #24
Thanks for the insight. There seem to have been more transgressions that day than just taking a shortcut. NT mahatmakanejeeves Tuesday #25
Yeah, maybe so. We never do really get the whole story, do we? Still...too many people are hurting PatrickforB Tuesday #27

2naSalit

(98,926 posts)
1. Cheaters are...
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 05:59 AM
Tuesday

His favorite kind of people.

And, Wyoming, a hotbed of slithering trumpism, like a pit of vipers. Kind of glad I can't see it from my porch anymore.

Irish_Dem

(77,969 posts)
12. I still don't believe it.
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 08:19 AM
Tuesday

Trump pardoning a crooked trail runner?

The bribe must have been a good one.

hlthe2b

(112,136 posts)
3. But, of course. Trump has probably never visited a single National Park and doesn't give a damn about them except
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 06:39 AM
Tuesday

for future exploitation and development among his corrupt friends. For the rest of us who give a damn about protecting these resources, this a'hole should not set a precedent and should be held accountable. Maybe not jail, but he certainly should be held accountable. I shed no tears for his selfish, narcissistic behavior.

Botany

(75,880 posts)
5. Lawlessness
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 07:31 AM
Tuesday

Rangers and land managers for the National Park Service do not close off areas for hiking,
horses, cross country skiing, and climbing for no reason. These are seasoned professionals
who are working to protect the resources of the park but also to protect the park visitor too.

lildDemz

(95 posts)
15. Any fun crook appeals to Donald's heart.
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 09:18 AM
Tuesday

Some of the Reddit thread: "He and North Face also filmed in the park after being denied a permit to do so. He also had friends and North Face employees fill the parking spots at the trailhead on the day ...(This included illegally parking in handicapped spots, btw.)"

riversedge

(78,834 posts)
7. I have to wonder that if, by the end of Trumps term, he will have pardoned Every crook in the USA???
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 07:43 AM
Tuesday

mackdaddy

(1,909 posts)
10. So he did not sex traffic hundreds of kids, or defraud people out of billions of dollars?
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 08:02 AM
Tuesday

Maybe his family was able to contribute millions to Trump?

Surprised Trump bothered to pardon him, unless the story was being played on Fox Nuze.

Stuckinthebush

(11,189 posts)
21. At first I thought this sounded like a lot of hoohah over a little thing...
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 12:14 PM
Tuesday

Then got more backstory from the reddit thread (thanks, mahatmakanejeeves). This comment from ConsiousThings9182 was interesting:

It’s tiresome hearing MS say he didn’t know “trail running is illegal” in interviews. One wonders about his maturity, honesty and entitlement. He knows EXACTLY why the park service went after him and it isn’t because trail running is illegal. It wasn’t just about him cutting the switchbacks — although conservation is a huge, reasonable consideration. He and North Face also filmed in the park after being denied a permit to do so. He also had friends and North Face employees fill the parking spots at the trailhead on the day (Labor Day weekend, when many people outdoor recreate) to prevent Lesser Mortals from polluting the trail and getting in Mr Entitled’s way. (This included illegally parking in handicapped spots, btw.) I listened to MS being interviewed about this run on a podcast and he bragged about having cut the switchback and also about using cocaine to stimulate his confidence and speed during the run. So is that an illegal athletic enhancer? Would it be allowed on the Rut? How many illegal bites at the apple is he entitled to? How many exceptions to rules is he entitled to just because he runs fast? Sadly, most accidents occur on descent and he said while pumped on coke he was jumping around the trail on the way down, taking “stupid chances”. Poor SAR having to deal with idiots like this guy, not to mention anyone he might bump into or send rocks raining down upon. One selfish person today, 10 tomorrow, thousands in a year. The damage adds up. Why are there established pathways? To protect future generations’ ability to access nature. KEEP TO THE TRAILS. … It’s also good to recall that national park rangers are first and foremost a policing force, not guides to teach you wildlife safety tips. If he was honest about why the park service went after him I’d respect him more but he lies his arse off about the reasons behind the prosecution. And I hate to break it to ya, MS, but mountain goats don’t have any more access rights to a trail than a lumbering bear. Stay humble, MS, and try to practice honesty.

PatrickforB

(15,296 posts)
24. This reminds me of back in the 90s when someone sent Hilary Clinton a feather and in a stunning
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 06:16 PM
Tuesday

piece of government overreach, the Feds went after her. So who was this person?

It was Barbara Bargon, a craft shop owner from Illinois, who sent an eagle feather to First Lady Hillary Clinton as a goodwill gesture and later found herself regretting it due to legal consequences.

Bargon had found the eagle feather at a South Carolina zoo and included it in a dream catcher she made for Mrs. Clinton. While it was intended as a gift, the possession and sale of eagle feathers are strictly regulated in the United States under federal laws like the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Federal agents began an investigation after finding evidence that Bargon was trying to use her connection to the First Lady to promote her craft business and "cash in" on the gift. During a recorded call with an undercover wildlife agent, Bargon, when asked about the feather, reportedly said, "If you got a problem, call her ... and give her some grief," referring to Hillary Clinton.

Bargon was charged with violating the federal laws prohibiting the possession, use, or sale of certain bird parts and faced potential legal penalties.


It did have a halfway decent ending, though - Bargon was subsequently sentenced to two years of probation and fined $1,200. She had not killed any eagles to obtain the feathers, but even just possession of such a feather is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of as much as $56,000. Possession with intent to sell the feathers could bring up to a year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Bargon was pardoned by President Clinton during the final hours of his presidency.

Whoops! But she still had two years of fucking probation and is out $1200.

Hey, guys, this is what government overreach looks like from the perspectiver of a working schmuck like me. I'm sorry, but the cutting of that trail by that guy is insignificant to me. I have $10K in healthcare debt and my healthcare premiums are going up 19.2% this year. My Social Security and Medicare are in danger, and I'm still paying federal taxes out the nose.

What was it that jerk Norquist said - starve the federal government through tax cuts until it is 'small enough to drown in the bathtub?' Is that right? Because Biden did OK but before him Trump fucked things up bad, and now we've had another year when he's pulling down the whole fucking thing around our knees.

Maybe our government that is supposedly of by and for we the people isn't really that anymore. Particularly in light of the Dems CAVING in to the Republicans on the shutdown.

My blood is boiling.

mahatmakanejeeves

(67,480 posts)
25. Thanks for the insight. There seem to have been more transgressions that day than just taking a shortcut. NT
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 07:05 PM
Tuesday

PatrickforB

(15,296 posts)
27. Yeah, maybe so. We never do really get the whole story, do we? Still...too many people are hurting
Tue Nov 11, 2025, 09:28 PM
Tuesday

and the middle class has been hunted almost to extinction by the billionaires and Wall Street. We are far too materialistic in this society. Where is the humanity? Where is the spirituality? Where is the morality?

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