"The New York Times" reported that Weiss was one of several "wealthy or well-connected people" who "benefited from their social, political, or financial ties to a loose collection of lawyers, lobbyists, activists and Orthodox Jewish leaders who had worked with Trump administration officials on criminal justice legislation championed by Jared Kushner." It reported that Weiss' case had been discussed at the White House for several years but met resistance. A Republican operative brought it to the attention of Mark Meadows, Trump's chief of staff, and Weiss' commutation followed.