President Donald Trump on May 28 signed a flurry of presidential pardons and commutations, including for some well-known former politicians.
In total, the White House confirmed to The Epoch Times, Trump planned to pardon nine individuals convicted of federal crimes, while commuting the sentences for two others. Those nine include former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland and former New York Rep. Michael Grimm—both Republicans.
Here are some details on those set to be pardoned of their criminal record or have their sentences commuted with records remaining.
Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland
Rowland served as governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004.
That year, he was convicted on honest services fraud and conspiracy charges for accepting gifts, vacations, and home improvements from state contractors in exchange for political favors while serving as governor. He served 10 months in prison.
In 2014, he faced another conviction for campaign finance violations after attempting to hide his role working for a congressional campaign. He was sentenced to 30 months for this second violation.
Rowland completed both sentences and was released from his second conviction in 2018.
The pardon will clear Rowland’s criminal record.
Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland leaves federal appeals court in New York on March 16, 2016. Bebeto Matthews/AP Photo
Former New York Congressman
Grimm, who served as a Republican congressman from New York from 2011 to 2015, is also slated for a pardon.
In 2014, Grimm was convicted of tax fraud after admitting to underreporting of over $1 million in wages and sales at a health food restaurant he owned prior to entering Congress. He served eight months in federal prison for these charges.
As in Rowland’s case, Grimm has long since finished his sentence.
Rapper Kentrell Gaulden
Rapper Kentrell Gaulden, also known as “NBA YoungBoy,” will be pardoned for gun violations.
In December 2024, Gaulden pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon in cases taking place in Louisiana and Utah. He was sentenced to 23 months in prison, with time served dating back to May 2024, when he was taken into custody.
Mark Bashaw
Mark Bashaw, a U.S. Army officer who previously served as the Army Public Health Center’s headquarters company commander, will also receive a pardon for his court-martial related to a refusal to comply with COVID-19 policies.
Specifically, Bashaw was found guilty of refusing an order to get tested for COVID-19 before coming to work, the first military officer to face a military conviction related to pandemic measures.
The judge in Bashaw’s case declined to impose punishment in the case.
Todd and Julie Chrisley
Todd and Julie Chrisley were pardoned of a conviction related to defrauding Atlanta-area community banks out of more than $30 million through fraudulent loans in June 2022. The pair was also convicted of tax evasion.
Savannah Chrisley, their daughter, spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, alleging that her parents were “persecuted by rogue prosecutors.” She has persistently pushed for a pardon for the couple.
Alex Little, the family’s attorney, said the pardon “corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community.”
“President Trump recognized what we’ve argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile. Their prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias,” Little said.
Other Pardons
Trump also issued a pardon for Kevin Eric Baisden, which covers a fraud conviction, and Tanner Mansell and John Moore, covering a drug-related offense.
Few details of these cases are available.
Commutations
Additionally, Trump issued commutations, where any criminal record remains intact, for Michael Harris, a hip hop executive convicted of dealing in crack cocaine, kidnapping, and attempted murder in 1987; and Larry Hoover, co-founder of Chicago’s Gangster Disciples street gang.
Harris was released early in January 2021 after serving 33 years in prison for his crimes, after Trump granted him clemency at the end of his first term. Harris’s sentence would have ended in 2028.
“The courts have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to consider Mr. Hoover’s considerable growth and complete rehabilitation,” they added. “Despite the court’s unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
