Trump considers pardons for former New York Assembly Speaker, Lil Wayne: NYT
President Trump is reportedly considering issuing pardons on his last full day in office for rapper Lil Wayne and former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
The New York Times reported that the names are among a list of pardons that the president intends to unveil on Tuesday. The list is likely to cover at least 60 pardons or commutations that could end up exceeding 100.
People briefed on the calls told the Times that he’s been making calls to some of the recipients and he held another meeting about the topic on Monday.
Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to a federal firearm charge in December, and is facing up to 10 years in prison. He was charged in December 2019 with illegally carrying a loaded handgun while traveling from California to South Florida.
The rapper met with Trump back in October, and praised the president’s proposed “Platinum Plan” intended to help the Black community.
Silver was convicted of corruption charges twice in 2015. The former Democratic lawmaker was sentenced to 78 months in prison in July 2020.
Also on the list is Sholam Weiss, according to The Times, who was sentenced to over 800 years in 2000 for racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering over a fraud scheme that defrauded $450 million from an insurance company.
The White House declined to comment to The New York Times, and didn’t immediately return a request for comment from The Hill.
Multiple news outlets reported earlier on Monday that the new batch of around 100 pardons will likely cover white-collar criminals and high-profile rappers.
The president issued a slew of pardons in December, and has reportedly floated the idea of pardoning himself and family members.
Officials told the Times that there are no plans for Trump to pardon himself, nor his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., who have not been charged with wrongdoing. However, the officials said that decision is still possible. Trump’s term comes to an end Wednesday at noon.
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