President Trump has been using his pardon power to settle political scores, granting clemency to controversial people whom he believes have been politically targeted.
♦️ The first: Trump is expected to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted in 2022 for evading taxes and conspiracy to defraud banks of more than $30 million (!) to support their lifestyle.
Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, told NewsNation's "On Balance" that Trump told her during their phone conversation that "you guys don't look like terrorists." Keep in mind that Savannah Chrisley also spoke at the Republican National Convention (RNC) last July, arguing Trump and her parents have been targeted for their conservative beliefs.
By the way: "Tiger King's" Joe 'Exotic' Maldonado, who is serving a 21-year sentence, is not happy about this pardon.
📹 Video of Trump talking to the Chrisley's children
♦️ The second: The New York Times's Kenneth P. Vogel reported on Wednesday that President Trump signed a full pardon of a tax cheat whose pardon application focused on his mother's "MAGA" support. Paul Walczak's pardon was granted shortly after his mom attended a $1 million per person Mar-a-Lago fundraiser last month.
Prosecutors say Walczak withheld millions of dollars in paychecks for nurses and doctors at a nursing home. He pleaded guilty on multiple tax-related crimes and was ordered to pay nearly $4.4 million in restitution and 18 months in prison. Vogel reports that he won't have to serve any prison time or pay any of the restitution.
♦️ The third: Trump announced a pardon on Monday for Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted of accepting more than $70,000 in bribes. The bribes were in the form of cash or campaign contributions and were accepted from more than half a dozen people, including two undercover FBI agents. Trump claims that Jenkins, a supporter of his, was "dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ." What to know about Scott Jenkins
Let's not forget: During Trump's first term, he granted clemency to several political advisers including Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn and Steve Bannon.
And since Trump took office in January: Trump opened his second term by controversially pardoning those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. He has continued to flex his pardon powers in recent months, including pardoning a startup founder and donor as well as the former business partner to Hunter Biden who was central to a House GOP probe.
💡 Why it matters: It's not unusual for presidents to grant pardons, but they usually come at the end of a president's term. Trump has drawn flak, even from some conservatives, over his use of the power. For example, Marc Short, who served as former Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, told CNN that he thinks Trump's pardon policy has been "pretty gross": "[I]t's almost like [Trump] saw what Biden [did] and said, 'Hold my beer, I'm going to show you and even go farther.'"
Remember: During Trump's first term, he granted clemency to several political advisers and allies including Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn and Steve Bannon. Trump opened his second term by controversially pardoning those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. He has continued to flex his pardon powers in recent months, including pardoning a startup founder and donor as well as the former business partner to Hunter Biden who was central to a House GOP probe.
📝 Full list of Trump's FIRST-term pardons
📝 Full list of Trump's SECOND-term pardons
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