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They're not justifying it. Thiel was a big supporter of Trump and lobbied to get Levandowski a pardon, so Trump is returning the favor.

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What's Thiel getting out of it though? How does pardoning Levandowski help him?

I guess we shall see.

Maybe Thiel would like Levandowski to work for Luminar?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-24/thiel-bac...

Dumb question, if Levandowski used the (allegedly) purloined IP at a new employer, could he be charged with a new crime or would he be clear to proceed under double jeopardy?

Thiel also got a pardon.. for what exactly? Also Luckey?

No I think perhaps you are misreading the announcement. Thiel, Luckey et al were backers of the pardon for Levandowski and involved in the process, not recipients of pardons themselves.

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