Mr. Braun was still under investigation by the Justice Department at the time of his pardon. Here are some key points about the case.

Carlos Barria/ReutersA pardon issued by Donald Trump during his last day in office completely blew up an ongoing Justice Department investigation into predatory lenders, according to an investigation published by The New York Times Sunday.

A commutation for a drug smuggler named Jonathan Braun had broader implications than previously known. It puts new focus on how Donald Trump would use his clemency powers in a second term.

Braun's family allegedly used connections with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner to usher Trump into pardoning him.