Being the US president doesn’t only make you one of the most powerful humans in the world, but the job description also comes with a lot of perks. Apart from having a luxurious life, travel privileges and access to top-class healthcare and security, the US president also has the power to forgive individuals convicted of crimes or reduce their sentences.
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On November 6 2024, Donald Trump was re-elected as the President of the United States. This means that once he's officially in office, he can pardon convicted felons, or reduce their sentences as long as it's an ongoing or completed criminal federal case, not civil.
During his last term as the president, Trump granted clemency to 143 individuals. This included public figures, like his former aide Steve Bannon and rapper Lil Wayne, allies, and others convicted of various crimes. He also issued 94 commutations.
All the people who have asked or are expecting forgiveness from Trump
As Trump gears up for a second presidential run, he has received numerous requests from individuals seeking pardon. According to The Independent, many people such as disgraced politicians, January 6 rioters, and TV celebs are hoping to get forgiveness. The list includes Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs—one of the four Proud Boys leaders currently serving a prison sentence.
Tiger King’s Joe Exotic is also hoping to get into Trump’s good graces, reports Mirror. Writing a letter to him, he said:
A lot of people went to bat for you in 2021 who have been living in hell ever since then. Everyone hopes you keep the promises you made during your campaign, which include pardoning everyone sooner than later in January 2025.
Other hopefuls on the list are former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley and Rapper Boosie Badazz along with January 6 rioters, who Trump is understood to be dealing with on a case-to-case basis. He told reporters in July that ‘if they’re innocent, I would pardon them.’
Trump’s own claims of pardoning some people
While many have requested Trump to pardon them, he also has a list of people he’s considering pardoning, or at the very least, commuting their sentence. According to Forbes, he said he would commute Ross Ulbricht’s sentence in May this year. Ulbricht was sentenced in 2015 for creating and operating the dark web marketplace Silk Road. After Trump’s win, supporters of Ulbricht took to X and claimed he was coming home in January 2025.
Interestingly, Trump has also hinted that he may pardon Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden—something Joe Biden has confirmed he would not do. Hunter was convicted earlier this year of federal tax and gun-related charges and is set to be sentenced in December. Trump’s former trade advisor Peter Navarro may also be on his list along with Julian Assange—the WikiLeaks founder.
Others who may be on Trump’s list as per multiple sources online are New York Mayor Eric Adams and rapper Young Thug.
Can Trump pardon himself?
The question of whether Donald Trump could pardon himself remains a topic of legal debate. The 78-year-old is the first person elected president to have been convicted of a crime. The legality of the scenario is still unclear, and some legal scholars believe the constitution may not permit him to pardon himself. More importantly, Trump may not have to pardon himself as ‘the Justice Department has a longstanding policy of declining to prosecute sitting presidents.’
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Sources used:
The Independent: Everyone who has already asked Trump for a pardon – from Joe Exotic to the Proud Boys
Mirror: Chilling list of every US criminal who has asked Donald Trump for a presidential pardon
Forbes: Here’s Who Trump Might Pardon—From Hunter Biden To Jan. 6 Rioters And Eric Adams
