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Trump Grants 143 Pardons/Clemency Requests

The White House last night released the list of Donald Trump's final 73 pardons and 70 grants of clemency.

As expected, Steve Bannon got his pardon.

Stephen K. Bannon – President Trump granted a full pardon to Stephen Bannon. Prosecutors pursued Mr. Bannon with charges related to fraud stemming from his involvement in a political project. Mr. Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen.
That is simply a joke of an explanation. Trump might as well have said: "There's nothing good to say about him, he doesn't deserve it but I'm doing it anyway. I'd rather have him owe me so he's on my team instead of the other team when the subpoenas start flying". Unfortunately, Bannon is likely a snake who will bite him in the as* at the first opportunity. [More...]

The main surprise to me is how many people are serving federally imposed life sentences on marijuana charges (due to prior non-violent convictions). This Vice article about Chris Young explains how the judges had no discretion but to impose a life term.

To me, the main takeaway from Trump's list is not that Trump rewarded some of his cronies. His unbridled exercise of power to benefit himself and reward his family and friends with undeserved government appointments and contracts has been on display for years. Nothing new here. I think the takeaway should be that the War on Drugs has always been a failure and needs to end. Defund the DEA.

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  • Display: Sort:
    At Least... (none / 0) (#1)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 11:08:52 AM EST
    ... no Trumps or insurrectionists pardoned, that is huge.

    I also didn't like his (none / 0) (#2)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Jan 20, 2021 at 07:42:25 PM EST
    add-on at the last hour of Jeanine Pirro's ex-husband who finished his tax fraud sentence a long time ago.

    Parent