During his initial term, Donald Trump granted only one pardon. However, at the beginning of his second term, Trump has been issuing pardons at an unprecedented rate, averaging one every few minutes. These pardons have been a way for Trump to reward groups that supported him. The pardons have ranged from individuals involved in the Capitol attack on January 6 to Ross Ulbricht, who created Silk Road, and anti-abortion activists.
Trump allies do not expect a similar pardon spree to continue, but various individuals are looking to promote their causes. For instance, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. plans to present a list of proposed pardons to Trump, with advocates seeking clemency for different individuals, including former members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
There is also speculation that former Senator Bob Menendez may seek clemency from Trump after failing to receive a pardon from Biden. Menendez has been advised to appeal directly to Trump, citing political targeting by the Justice Department.
The process of receiving a presidential pardon typically involves submitting a petition for review by the Office of the Pardon Attorney. However, Trump’s recent pardons suggest that this formal process may not always be followed. Despite the flurry of recent pardons, it remains unclear whether Trump will continue to grant clemency at the same rate in the future.
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