President Donald Trump has granted clemency to 143 people during his final hours in the office, officials reported.
According to Daily Mail, Trump has pardoned senior White House adviser Steve Bannon who was arrested for defrauding MAGA donors to build the wall.
“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,” the statement from the White House press secretary said.
“Mr. Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen.”
Bannon and three others were charged with defrauding donors of millions as part of a fundraising campaign ‘to build the wall.’
“Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency,” Trump said at that time.
Philip R. Barlett, the inspector-in-charge of the New York office of the US Postal Inspection Service, said: “This case should serve as a warning to other fraudsters that no one is above the law, not even a disabled war veteran or a millionaire political strategist.”
Trump distanced himself from Bannon after the arrest.
He told the media at the White House: “When I read about it, I didn’t like it. I said this is for government, this isn’t for private people. And it sounded to me like showboating.”
Trump also pardoned former Detroit Mayor Kwarme Kilpatrick, who was serving in prison on corruption charges, and rappers Kodak Black and Lil Wayne, who were prosecuted on federal weapons offenses.
A source familiar with the situation said that White House officials said that Trump should not pardon himself or his family members as it might seem like they are guilty of crimes.
There was no pardon for attorney Rudy Giuliani, who hasn’t been charged with any crime but investigators have been reviewing his activities in Ukraine.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!
Replaced!