Trump pardons 73 individauls as a last minture pardon

Trump issues last-minute pardons to 73 individuals

Monitoring Desk :

The outgoing US President Donald Trump issued last-minute pardons to 73 individuals. The individuals include his political strategist, a former top fundraiser and two well-known rappers but not himself or his family.

The batch of 73 pardons and 70 commutations issued in the final hours of his presidency was expected and is in keeping with a long-standing presidential tradition of exercising clemency powers at the last minute.

The list reflected a President keen on awarding pardons to his stalwart allies, an unusual number of whom have been swept up in corruption or lying charges.

Steve Bannon also pardoned

But several controversial names do appear like Steve Bannon, who has pleaded not guilty to charges he defrauded donors in a “We Build the Wall” online fundraising campaign. Trump had spent the past days deliberating over a pardon for the man who helped him win the presidency in 2016 and followed him to the White House. During his final hours in an office, there was a frantic debate underway behind the scenes on whether to grant Bannon a pardon.

Trump pardoned ex-boyfriend of alleged Russian spy Maria Butina

Trump also offered clemency to Paul Erickson, the conservative political operative and ex-boyfriend of alleged Russian spy Maria Butina, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges; Robin Hayes, a North Carolina political donor convicted of trying to bribe officials; Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, convinced of federal charges including racketeering, extortion and the filing of false tax returns; William Walters, a professional sports gambler convicted of insider trading; and Aviem Sella, an Israeli air force officer who the US accused of being a spy.

Trump issues last-minute pardons to 73 individuals

Information courtesy: CNN