On his final full day in office, US President Donald Trump is expected to pardon as many as 100 people, finishing his turbulent four-year term in office. The clemency list is expected to be announced by Mr Trump tonight.
What is a presidential pardon?
In the constitution, US presidents are allowed to issue pardons.
Under Article II, Section 2, Clause 1, presidents have “power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment”.
A president could offer clemency or a commutation; reducing a prison sentence. A president can also offer a full pardon, in essence an official statement of forgiveness for a crime.
Last-minute presidential pardons have long been customary for outgoing US presidents.
President Barack Obama pardoned or commuted the sentences of 330 individuals on the day before he left office. It was a record number that went predominantly to low level drug offenders.
Who is in line for a pardon?
The New York Times reported that the list could include the rapper Lil Wayne, who faces 10 years in jail after being charged with illegal weapons possession. He endorsed Trump’s re-election campaign last year and is rumoured to be pardoned.
Joe Exotic is also rumoured to be in the clemency list. The Tiger King star, is currently serving a 22-year sentence for plotting to kill his rival Carol Baskin.
Joe Exotic’s lawyers told the Sun that they feel ‘confident’ that the Tiger King star will be granted clemency by Donald Trump.
“We have the limousine fuelled up and driver standing by,” Mr Love told the paper. “We are ready for the party.”
It’s also not certain whether Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon will receive a pardon.
Who has Trump pardoned so far?
In December, Mr Trump issued a series of pardons, including his former campaign manager Paul Manafort and ex-adviser Roger Stone.
Another pardon went to Charles Kushner, who is the father of Ivanka Trump’s husband, Jared Kushner, a White House adviser. He was previously convicted of tax evasion and illegal campaign donations.
There were also less controversial pardons and commutations, including Alice Johnson who was pardoned by Mr Trump in 2018.
Johnson was previously jailed in 1996 on a non-violent drug charge and spoke at the Republican National Convention in August.
