Who's Getting a Break from President Trump?

# President Trump's Pardon Spree: A Pattern of Political Mercy

President Trump has been handing out pardons and sentence reductions like candy. Recently, he pardoned former aide **Rudy Giuliani**, ex-White House Chief of Staff **Mark Meadows**, and others accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election results. But that's not all. He's also shown mercy to former U. S. Rep. **George Santos** and the ex-CEO of a cryptocurrency exchange, **Changpeng Zhao**.

## A Clear Pattern

Trump's pardons seem to have a pattern. Many of the people he's helping out have ties to him or his politics. This isn't new. Past presidents have also pardoned their friends and allies. But Trump is doing it more openly and frequently, especially in his second term.

### Notable Examples

- **George Santos**: A disgraced New York Republican who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft. Trump commuted his prison sentence in mid-October.
- **Changpeng Zhao**: The former CEO of Binance, who pleaded guilty to money laundering charges. Binance has ties to the Trump family's cryptocurrency business, but Trump claims he doesn't know Zhao.

## Historical Context

U. S. presidents have broad powers to pardon people convicted of federal crimes. This power comes from English law, where the king had the "prerogative of mercy" as early as the seventh century. Trump has used this power to help a wide range of people, from nonviolent drug offenders to white-collar criminals. But his pardons in his second term seem to be more about politics.

## Political Statements

Trump isn't the first president to show leniency to political allies. Bill Clinton pardoned Mark Rich, a former hedge-fund manager whose ex-wife donated to Democratic causes. George W. Bush commuted the sentence of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. But Trump's pardons seem to be more about making political statements.

### Recent Pardons

- **Jan. 6 Defendants**: Trump has pardoned some 1,500 defendants convicted of taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021, siege on the U. S. Capitol.
- **Scott Jenkins**: A former Virginia Sheriff and ardent Trump supporter who was convicted of taking bribes.
- **Rod Blagojevich**: Former Illinois Gov. and Democrat.
- **P. G. Sittenfeld**: Former Cincinnati City Council member and Democrat, convicted of bribery and attempted extortion.

## Trump's Perspective

Some people think Trump may see himself in these politicians' situations. He's characterized his own recent prosecutions as politically motivated. Maybe he feels a connection to other politicians who have been prosecuted.

## Contrast with Biden

The White House has contrasted Trump's approach to the clemency process with former President Joe Biden's. Biden has used an autopen to issue pardons and sign other official documents. Trump has ordered an investigation into Biden's use of the autopen.

## Questions and Concerns

Trump's pardons have also raised questions about the clemency application process. It's unclear whether the formal process is currently resulting in clemency grants in any significant numbers. Some people are focusing on who's not getting grants, like those who have served long prison terms and rehabilitated themselves.

## Alice Johnson

Trump appointed **Alice Johnson** as his "pardon czar" in February. Johnson was pardoned for a nonviolent drug offense by Trump during his first term after her story got the attention and advocacy of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian.