Trump Grants Over Two Dozen Pardons Including Political Allies, Gang Leaders

Since reclaiming the presidency, Donald Trump has issued over 1,500 pardons and commutations, targeting a diverse group including political allies, convicted criminals, and public figures. Notable recipients include Larry Hoover, the former leader of the Gangster Disciples gang serving multiple life sentences, rapper NBA YoungBoy convicted on gun charges, and former politicians such as Michael Grimm and John Rowland who had felony convictions. Trump has framed his clemency actions as efforts to correct what he perceives as a corrupt justice system and political persecution, often favoring those who publicly expressed loyalty to him or claimed unfair targeting. His pardons also cover a wide range of offenses from tax fraud and public corruption to crimes related to the January 6 Capitol riot and interference with reproductive health services. While some pardons restore civil rights like voting, others commute prison sentences, as in the case of Hoover whose federal sentences were commuted but state charges remain unaffected. This extensive use of presidential pardon power continues to attract scrutiny and debate about the motivations and implications behind these decisions.