Politics

Trump Issues 2 More Pardons

REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo/File Photo

Mike Brest Reporter
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President Donald Trump issued a pardon Wednesday evening to Lord Conrad M. Black of Crossharbour and another to former Minority Leader of the California State Assembly, Patrick J. Nolan.

Black, a former newspaper publisher, served three-and-a-half years in prison for mail fraud and obstruction. Last year, he also authored “Donald J. Trump: A President Like No Other,” in what turned out to be a glowing endorsement of Trump.

“Lord Black’s case has attracted broad support from many high-profile individuals, who have vigorously vouched for his exceptional character,” the White House statement reads. “This impressive list includes former Secretary of State Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Sir Elton John, Rush Limbaugh, the late William F. Buckley, Jr., and many additional notable individuals.”

He previously controlled Hollinger International, which at one point was the world’s third-largest English language newspaper company. Hollinger was the publisher of a number of papers throughout the world, including The Daily Telegraph, Chicago Sun-Times and The Jerusalem Post, as well as hundreds of smaller community newspapers, according to Deadline. (RELATED: Trump Wishes Alice Johnson Luck In Life, After Commuting Sentence)

“In 1994, Mr. Nolan had to make a difficult choice.  He could defend himself against charges of public corruption and risk decades in prison, or he could plead guilty and accept a 33-month sentence. Determined to help his wife raise their three young children, Mr. Nolan chose to accept the plea,” the White House’s statement on Nolan reads.

It goes on to describe how Nolan ended up advocating for criminal justice reform, specifically the “Prison Rape Elimination Act,” the “Second Chance Act,” the “Fair Sentencing Act,” and the “FIRST Step Act.”

Trump has pardoned seven individuals throughout the first two-and-a half years of his presidency prior to Black and Nolan, according to the Department of Justice.

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