US President Donald Trump has taken advantage of his clemency powers to reward friends, donors, and allies, while many others who have been wrongly convicted of crimes remain waiting for a second chance.
In the past year alone, Trump has granted pardons to nearly 80 people, including several high-profile figures. While some recipients, such as Rudy Giuliani and Changpeng Zhao, are largely symbolic, others, like those involved in the January 6th riot at the Capitol, have real-world consequences for their lives.
Despite Trump's claims of wanting to reform the clemency process, many argue that he has exploited his power to reward those who have supported him or helped him achieve his goals. A recent report found that over $1.3 billion in restitution and fines owed by defendants were wiped out after Trump granted pardons, leaving victims with little recourse.
Those who have followed the traditional process of applying for clemency are growing increasingly frustrated as they watch the public database of applicants swell with thousands of pending cases while Trump grants pardons to people who never entered the system. Many argue that the clemency power has become a tool for political leverage, rather than a means to provide second chances to those who have served their time.
In his first term, Trump granted pardons to several high-profile figures, including former campaign aides and associates convicted of crimes related to Russia's interference in the 2016 election. However, it was not until he returned to office that his pardoning powers became truly extraordinary. Today, Trump is using a parallel network of mercy led by political allies and media figures who can reach him directly, bypassing the traditional review process.
Critics argue that this approach undermines the integrity of the clemency power and favors those with connections to the president over those who do not. One lawyer said that he does not necessarily file cases with the Office of the Pardon Attorney anymore but instead goes straight to the White House Counsel. The lack of transparency and accountability in Trump's pardon process has raised concerns about abuse of power.
In contrast, advocates for clemency reform, such as Rachel Barkow, believe that the power should be used more broadly to provide hope to those who do not have the resources or connections to navigate the current system. They argue that clemency is a constitutional right and should be available to all who meet certain criteria.
As Liliana Trafficante, one of the thousands hoping for clemency, put it, "It's not fair to the little guy." She had been convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and served just over three years in federal prison. Despite her remorse and efforts to rebuild her life, she remains waiting for a pardon that would allow her to reenter society as a law-abiding citizen.
While Trump's clemency policies remain shrouded in controversy, one thing is clear: the power of pardoning has been hijacked by politics, with far-reaching consequences for those who are left behind.
In the past year alone, Trump has granted pardons to nearly 80 people, including several high-profile figures. While some recipients, such as Rudy Giuliani and Changpeng Zhao, are largely symbolic, others, like those involved in the January 6th riot at the Capitol, have real-world consequences for their lives.
Despite Trump's claims of wanting to reform the clemency process, many argue that he has exploited his power to reward those who have supported him or helped him achieve his goals. A recent report found that over $1.3 billion in restitution and fines owed by defendants were wiped out after Trump granted pardons, leaving victims with little recourse.
Those who have followed the traditional process of applying for clemency are growing increasingly frustrated as they watch the public database of applicants swell with thousands of pending cases while Trump grants pardons to people who never entered the system. Many argue that the clemency power has become a tool for political leverage, rather than a means to provide second chances to those who have served their time.
In his first term, Trump granted pardons to several high-profile figures, including former campaign aides and associates convicted of crimes related to Russia's interference in the 2016 election. However, it was not until he returned to office that his pardoning powers became truly extraordinary. Today, Trump is using a parallel network of mercy led by political allies and media figures who can reach him directly, bypassing the traditional review process.
Critics argue that this approach undermines the integrity of the clemency power and favors those with connections to the president over those who do not. One lawyer said that he does not necessarily file cases with the Office of the Pardon Attorney anymore but instead goes straight to the White House Counsel. The lack of transparency and accountability in Trump's pardon process has raised concerns about abuse of power.
In contrast, advocates for clemency reform, such as Rachel Barkow, believe that the power should be used more broadly to provide hope to those who do not have the resources or connections to navigate the current system. They argue that clemency is a constitutional right and should be available to all who meet certain criteria.
As Liliana Trafficante, one of the thousands hoping for clemency, put it, "It's not fair to the little guy." She had been convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and served just over three years in federal prison. Despite her remorse and efforts to rebuild her life, she remains waiting for a pardon that would allow her to reenter society as a law-abiding citizen.
While Trump's clemency policies remain shrouded in controversy, one thing is clear: the power of pardoning has been hijacked by politics, with far-reaching consequences for those who are left behind.
80 people granted pardons by Trump since last year? 
that's like 4-5 people every week! 
️ But did you know that the average time spent on clemency applications is around 2 years? 
so yeah, it's kinda messed up that many others who have been wrongly convicted are still waiting. 
that's like, what if all those billions went towards victims instead? 
)
. I mean think about it if you were on death row or serving a long sentence and your only hope was because some rich guy had a connection to Trump, what would you do? 
.
. You could be paying off student loans or something and suddenly the whole thing is just wiped away 
. It's not about second chances for everyone who deserves it, it's more like Trump's personal wish list 
.
, but at least we should have a system that's fair to everyone 
. Not just those with connections or money 
.
. It's like, Trump is using his power to reward friends and donors instead of actually helping people who need it most. And that report about $1.3 billion just being wiped out after pardons... ugh, that's just not right 
. I think we need to get a better system in place where people can actually have a fair shot at getting a pardon without having to know someone with connections 
. The staggering amounts of restitution and fines that have been wiped out after pardons are particularly egregious - a whopping $1.3 billion, no less 
. By bypassing the traditional review process and using a parallel network of mercy led by his allies and media figures, he's essentially created a system that favors those with connections to him over those who don't 
. But until we see meaningful reforms, many will continue to suffer the injustices of the current system 
. The "little guy" - as Liliana Trafficante so aptly put it - is indeed being left behind 
.
. It just don't seem fair to me 
.
to all his buddies and donors. And meanwhile, innocent people are still stuck in the system waiting for a second chance. It's just not right. 
. Trump's clemency powers seem to be all about his friends & donors, it's just not right 
.
. and what really gets me is that these pardons are costing us billions of dollars in restitution and fines owed by defendants who were wrongly convicted... it's like he's using the pardon power as a way to reward his friends and allies rather than actually helping people who need it 
i mean i guess some r big names but like others r just random ppl. so if u got a crime and didnt even get caught or somethin, can u still apply for clemency? 
is it like a secret society or somethin? 
...