Trump revokes the 5-year lobbying ban on government officials on the last day of his term

President TrumpDonald TrumpLil Wayne Gets Pardoned From Trump For 11th Hour Trump Grants Clemency To Over 100 People Including Bannon Trump Expected To Pardon Bannon: Reports MORE signed an executive order lifting a five-year lobbying ban on members of his administration several hours before leaving office and Joe BidenJoe Biden Trump grants leniency to more than 100 people, including Bannon Scalise taking Donna Brazile as a guest to Biden’s inauguration Sidney Powell pulls ‘crack’ lawsuit in Georgia in MORE is sworn in as the next president of the United States.

The order, issued early Wednesday along with a fit of pardon for former top campaign and White House officials, invalidates an ethical pledge made by all members of his government that would require them to adhere to a cooling-off period from five years before in lobbying services.

“Employees and former employees who are subject to the commitments in Executive Order 13770 will no longer be subject to those obligations after January 20, 2021 at 12:00 noon,” the order reads.

Former president Bill ClintonWilliam (Bill) Jefferson Clinton Trump stock performance lags Obama, Clinton Press: Biden needs to get big and daring The challenge of Biden’s early days: stay focused and on the message MORE signed a similar waiver with only weeks remaining in his tenure, The Associated Press noted.

Trump had run for president in 2016, in part with a promise to “drain the swamp,” and regularly attacked politicians, lobbyists, and members of the “political elite” who he said were out of touch with Americans and who had their own interests above those of the nation.

Trump also extended leniency to dozens of people in a late pardoning blitz.

Among those pardoned by Trump on Tuesday night were former chief strategist Steve BannonStephen (Steve) Kevin Bannon Trump Expects to Pardon Bannon: Reports Trump Consulted Bannon to Reverse Election Results: Bloomberg Facebook’s ‘Stop the Steel’ Ban Misses 90 Groups Promoting Election Misinformation: Analysis MORE, rapper Lil Wayne and GOP fundraiser Elliot Broidy and former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D).

Bannon has been charged with wire fraud and other financial crimes.

“Mr. Bannon is a key leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen,” the White House said in pardon.

Trump was scheduled to speak Wednesday morning before departing for Florida from Washington, DC. He will not attend Biden’s inauguration at noon.