President Trump is going through a controversial series of pardons and sentence reductions, granting clemency to more than two dozen people. This unusual and rapid series of decisions included political allies, a famous rapper, and the former leader of a well-known Chicago gang. This led to serious concerns about how presidential power was being used and whether there were conflicts of interest.
The moves, announced on Wednesday, went against the normal Justice Department review process, instead seeming to favor people who were loyal or politically aligned with Trump. The BBC news reported that one of the most high-profile cases was Larry Hoover, the former leader of the Gangster Disciples, a Chicago gang with a long history of drug trafficking and violent crime. Hoover had been serving multiple life sentences but had his federal sentence reduced, though this did not change his state charges, where he still faces another 200 years in prison.
Another notable pardon went to rapper Kentrell Gaulden, known as NBA YoungBoy, who was cleared of a weapons charge related to his past as a convicted felon. The NY Times said Gaulden publicly thanked President Trump and Alice Johnson, who Trump called his “pardon czar,” for helping secure his pardon. Ed Martin, a Trump adviser who helped lead efforts that included the pardon process, wrote “No MAGA left behind,” on social media, which seems to be how this all goes.
Trump pardoning many MAGA supporters
The list also included several people with clear or stated political ties to Trump. Among them were former New York Representative Michael Grimm, who was convicted of tax evasion and had been a strong Trump supporter in recent years, and Jeremy Hutchinson, a former Arkansas state senator convicted of tax fraud and bribery.
Hutchinson’s legal team claimed his prosecution was politically motivated because of his conservative views. Also causing controversy were pardons for reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud, especially since their daughter had publicly supported Trump.
Other people who received pardons had been convicted of a wide range of crimes. These included a former Army lieutenant found guilty of breaking COVID-19 rules, a former Cincinnati City Council member sentenced for bribery and extortion, and a former Connecticut governor convicted twice on corruption charges. There were also pardons for financial crimes like securities fraud and tax evasion, as well as less politically charged offenses such as theft and conspiracy.
Two Florida commercial divers, who claimed they were saving sharks from illegal fishing (even though the fishing line was legal), were also pardoned. The timing of these actions, coming right before the end of Trump’s presidency, and the clear disregard for standard procedures drew heavy criticism. I mean, Trump even pardoned a Sheriff who sold deputy badges.
The White House did not immediately provide a full list of the pardons and sentence reductions, making the process seem even more unclear. This approach was very different from the usual Justice Department process, which involves long reviews for clemency requests.
Published: May 29, 2025 10:30 am