Record at a Glance
- Clemency type
- Pardon
- Presidential term
- 2017–2021
- Federal district
- U.S. Army
- Offense
- Premeditated murder (charged, not tried or convicted)
- Sentence
- N/A
- Current status
- Pardoned before trial in 2019; current military/discharge status not verified.
Background
Charged with premeditated murder in a military case concerning a killing in Afghanistan. The pardon preceded trial: no guilty plea, trial conviction or sentence should be implied.
Original Case
DOJ lists: Premeditated murder (charged, not tried or convicted). Sentence: N/A. Plea/trial history and any amendments beyond this table require case-document review.
Clemency
Pardon on November 15, 2019. Individual warrant scope requires review.
Trump Connection
White House clemency advocates included Pete Hegseth, Duncan Hunter, Mike Johnson and Louie Gohmert.
Since Clemency
2020-06 (reported 2021-03) · military administrative action
Army review declined restoration of Golsteyn's Silver Star and Special Forces tab, according to reporting based on decision documents.
Legal Status: Administrative decision distinct from the pardoned criminal charge.
- Development Source
Army review outcomeMilitary Times
- Development Source
Sources
- Primary Documentation
DOJ: Pardons Granted by President Donald J. Trump (2017–2021)U.S. Department of Justice2026-09-24 - Primary Documentation
DOJ clemency document: Mathew GolsteynU.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney2026-09-24 active - Primary Documentation
White House clemency announcementArchived White House