President TrumpDonald TrumpGeorgia Senate candidate Ossoff backs Trump’s call for K checks White House wishes Birx well after she announces retirement Pelosi responds to Trump: Let’s push for K checks ‘this week’ MORE on Tuesday granted clemency to three former Republican congressmen as well as two individuals charged as part of former special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) MuellerBarr taps attorney investigating Russia probe origins as special counsel CNN’s Toobin warns McCabe is in ‘perilous condition’ with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting MORE’s investigation, George PapadopoulosGeorge Demetrios PapadopoulosTrump pardons George Papadopoulos in latest batch of pardons Trump slams relief bill, calls on Congress to increase stimulus money Trump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers MORE and Alex van der ZwaanAlex van der ZwaanFlynn’s case finally ends — but not before Judge Sullivan flogs a corpse Ex-federal prosecutor says sentencings signal Mueller probe likely approaching end MORE.
Trump granted a full pardon to former California GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter, who pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds in 2019. He also granted a pardon to former New York GOP Rep. Chris CollinsChristopher (Chris) Carl CollinsTrump slams relief bill, calls on Congress to increase stimulus money Trump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers A Biden strategy for genuine global health security MORE, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to the FBI in 2019 and is currently serving a 26-month sentence.
Additionally, Trump commuted the sentence of former Texas GOP Rep. Steve StockmanStephen (Steve) Ernest StockmanTrump slams relief bill, calls on Congress to increase stimulus money Trump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers Inmates break windows, set fires in riot at Kansas prison MORE, who was convicted in 2018 of money laundering, conspiracy and other charges related to a scheme to defraud charitable donors.
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Papadopoulos, who served as a foreign policy adviser on Trump’s 2016 campaign, pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigations in relation to Mueller’s Russia investigation. Papadopoulos, who has been a vocal defender of Trump, served 12 days in prison in 2018. He was the first of six Trump associates charged in Mueller’s sprawling probe.
Van der Zwaan, a Dutch national, served a 30-day prison sentence for lying to investigators about his involvement in a report for the Ukrainian government prepared by law firm Skadden Arps. Both men were given full pardons. The actions represented Trump’s latest broadside against the Russia investigation, which dogged his first two years in office.
In total, Trump granted 15 pardons and five commutations that were announced Tuesday evening by the White House. Trump has been weighing issuing a handful of clemency grants in his final days in office.
Late last month, Trump pardoned Michael Flynn, his former national security adviser, who was also charged in connection with Mueller’s investigation. The pardon came as the Justice Department was seeking to withdraw its case against Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador, bringing a dramatic end to his case.
The list released Tuesday evening also includes three individuals to whom Trump had previously granted clemency, Crystal Munoz, Tynice Nichole Hall, and Judith Negron, who had been convicted on drug and fraud-related charges. Trump commuted the remainder of their sentences.
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Alice Johnson, a woman whose life sentence Trump commuted and has been a vocal advocate for his administration’s work, advocated for all three of the individuals. Johnson was recently pictured at the White House with Ivanka TrumpIvanka TrumpTrump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers Deutsche Bank says Trump’s private bankers have resigned Ivanka Trump postpones campaign events in Georgia MORE, the president’s daughter and senior adviser.
Trump also gave full pardons to four former Blackwater security contractors who had been convicted over their roles in the 2007 killings of 17 unarmed Iraqi civilians in Baghdad. Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard had been given sentences ranging from 12 years to life in prison for the massacre.
Blackwater was founded by Erik Prince, one of Trump’s allies and the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVosBetsy DeVosBiden announces Connecticut commissioner Cardona as Education nominee Trump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers Trump selects Hicks, Bondi, Grenell and other allies for positions MORE.
Trump will leave office in less than a month, and it’s possible he could issue more pardons in the coming weeks. There has been speculation that Trump could look to grant preemptive pardons to members of his family, though it’s unclear whether or how seriously Trump is currently considering such a move.
Trump has often used the pardon power to the benefit of those with personal or political connections to him. He granted clemency to Roger StoneRoger Jason StoneTrump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers Barr exit hints at further tumult under Trump Barr goes out with a ‘love letter’ to Trump MORE, a longtime adviser who was also convicted in the Mueller probe, in July. He also pardoned former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik, a friend of Trump’s personal attorney Rudy GiulianiRudy GiulianiTrump attacks Thune: ‘He will be primaried in 2022’ Trump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers Acting US Attorney overseeing Giuliani, Bannon probes to stay on MORE, in February.
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The announcement on Tuesday evening drew sharp criticism from Democrats. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffTrump pardons individuals charged in Russia probe, ex-GOP lawmakers Clyburn: We may need a 9/11-like commission on COVID-19 response For NY Times, no news is fit to print about Rep. Swalwell and a spy MORE (D-Calif.) released a statement accusing Trump of abusing the presidential pardon power.
“Trump is doling out pardons, not on the basis of repentance, restitution or the interests of justice, but to reward his friends and political allies, to protect those who lie to cover up him, to shelter those guilty of killing civilians, and to undermine an investigation that uncovered massive wrongdoing,” Schiff said, calling Trump a “corrupt man.”
Harper Neidig contributed.