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Among other things, Trump granted a pardon to Jared Kushner’s father, who pleaded guilty in 2004 to tax evasion and impact presence, to his 2016 campaign leader, Paul Manafort, and to his longtime adviser, Roger Stone, according to the White House report.
This time, a total of 26 people were pardoned by the president and three more were commuted.
The day before, Trump had pardoned 15 people and commuted five more.
Among those charged with full clemency on Tuesday are two people involved in an investigation into the alleged Trump campaign and Russia’s involvement, a corrupt former Republican congressman and four employees of the private security company Blackwater convicted of killing 14 Iraqis. in 2007 in Baghdad.
Iraqis have expressed outrage and sadness that Trump has pardoned four Blackwater contractors who were convicted of murder six years ago.
On September 16, 2007, Blackwater guards began firing at a busy Baghdad square, killing at least 14 civilians and wounding dozens more. Iraqi officials, for their part, speak of 17 victims. The incident enraged Iraqis and sparked tensions between the United States and Iraq.
“Rotten to the core”
Trump’s decision to pardon Manafort, who was at the center of special counsel Robert Muller’s investigation into allegations of Russian election interference four years ago, sparked anger at the White House host’s attempt to “erase.” research, which he always called “witchcraft”. hunting ‘.
Adam Schiff, a Democrat who heads the House Intelligence Committee, said on Twitter: “During the Mueller investigation, Trump’s attorney hinted at clemency for Manafort. Manafort refused to cooperate with prosecutors, lied, was convicted, and later praised by Trump for not being a “whistleblower.” A short pardon now ends the corruption scheme. “
Manafort himself wrote on Twitter: “You really have made ‘America great again.’ God bless you and your family. I wish you a Merry Christmas and many good wishes for the coming year. “
David Akselrod, a political commentator and former adviser to President Barack Obama, said of Trump’s decision that “the whole world has seen a wave of pleasant and punitive relief coming for the apparatus and the president’s loyalists … But the show remains terrible “.
Republican Senator Ben Sass, who has publicly criticized Trump, said: “He’s rotten to the core. [reikalas]. “
More pleasures are welcome
Trump is expected to consider giving more favors until January 20, when his term ends.
Trump, who is the subject of a series of investigations into tax matters, alleged violations of campaign finance rules and alleged sexual violence, has stated that he can forgive himself, but this approach does not appear to have a solid legal basis.
The president is also coming under pressure from libertarian and civil rights groups calling for clemency for three people involved in the leak of national security information. These include Julian Asand, the founder of WikiLeaks, Edward Snowouden, a former contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), and Realiti Viner, another former NSA employee.
Additionally, former US soldier Robert Beils, convicted of the murder of 16 Afghan nationals in 2012, and Joseph Maldonad Pasaj, who became famous for his appearance on the Netflix documentary series Tiger King, are known to be among the petitioners. .
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