A Shockingly Long List of Corrupt Officials and Political Allies Pardoned by Trump

[Demovictory9]

https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2020/04/a-shockingly-long-list-of-corrupt-officials-and-political-allies-pardoned-by-trump/

A Shockingly Long List of Corrupt Officials and Political Allies Pardoned by Trump
“He shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons…”

As the 2020 race heats up, Donald Trump has placed his use of his pardon powers at the center of his reelection bid. One widely discussed campaign ad, aired during the Super Bowl, featured Alice Johnson—a black woman who served 21 years in prison for a nonviolent drug offense before Trump commuted her sentence in 2018. “Thanks to President Trump, people like Alice are getting a second chance,” the ad stated. In February, Trump also freed several women who served time with Johnson.

But Johnson’s case is far from typical. More often, Trump has used his clemency powers to reward friends, political allies and donors, and Fox News regulars. Former Trump aides convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation—including Roger Stone—have reportedly sought pardons, and Trump recently said he was “strongly considering” granting one for Michael Flynn. Here’s a list of right-wing icons, corrupt public officials, accused war criminals, and other controversial figures who have already received executive clemency from Trump.



Joe Arpaio
During his 24 years as the sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, Arpaio called himself “America’s toughest sheriff” and became known for his severe treatment of immigrants and the harsh conditions in his county jail. When a judge ordered him to stop detaining people based solely on suspicion of their immigration status, which amounted to racial profiling, he refused. In 2017, he was found guilty of criminal contempt of court for violating that order.

The Trump connection: Arpaio endorsed Trump in January 2016, citing his stances on immigration and stumping for him in Iowa. The two men also share a fondness for racist conspiracy theories. At the same time Trump was pushing the false claim that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States, Arpaio sent one of his deputies and a member of his volunteer birther posse to Hawaii to investigate Obama’s birth certificate. At an August 2017 rally in Phoenix, Trump hinted at a pardon. “Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?” he said. “I’ll make a prediction: I think he’s going to be just fine.” Days later, the president followed through. “Sheriff Joe is a patriot,” he declared. “Sheriff Joe loves our country. Sheriff Joe protected our borders. And Sheriff Joe was very unfairly treated by the Obama administration.”

Dwight and Steven Hammond
When Oregon ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond were convicted of arson for burning more than 100 acres of federal land, their case became a flashpoint in the fight for control over public lands. (Witnesses testified the fire was intended to cover up evidence of illegal hunting; the Hammonds said they started the fire on their own property to burn off invasive species and it accidentally spread.) “They have become symbols of the way many rural Americans feel they’ve been wronged by federal overreach,” BuzzFeed News reported. Their case sparked a 41-day standoff with federal agents at a wildlife refuge in Oregon, led by Ryan and Ammon Bundy. Many people joining the protest were members of unofficial militias, armed with long guns and pistols and dressed in full tactical gear. One Arizona rancher was killed by police.

[theaocp]

1. More shocking revelations.

Get back to me when we look forward, not backward.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

2. Let's hope a few state AGs will take a look at this list.

[dalton99a]

3. Criminal pardons criminals.