Why did Trump pardon Desiree Perez?
Asked by: Westley Feil | Last update: March 26, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (69 votes)
Donald Trump pardoned Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez in January 2021, citing her rehabilitation after a decades-old conviction for drug conspiracy, noting she "turned her life around" through positive employment, advocacy for criminal justice reform, and taking accountability for her past actions, as stated by the White House.
What did Trump pardon Kushner for?
Donald Trump pardoned Charles Kushner (father of Jared Kushner) in December 2020, citing his record of charity and philanthropy, though Kushner had been convicted of tax evasion, illegal campaign donations, and witness tampering in 2005; the pardon was seen as rewarding a family ally and using presidential clemency power to benefit political associates, bypassing typical review processes.
What black lady did Trump pardon?
The Black woman Donald Trump pardoned, and later appointed as his "Pardon Czar," is Alice Marie Johnson, a nonviolent drug offender who served over 21 years of a life sentence before Trump commuted her sentence in 2018 and granted her a full pardon in 2020, making her a key advocate for criminal justice reform within his administration. Her case gained national attention with support from Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, leading to her advocacy and subsequent role advising on clemency for others.
Are you still a convicted felon if you get a presidential pardon?
When the president grants a pardon, it erases any punishment and guilt of the pardoned person. It also restores the civil rights of the pardoned. However, a pardon does not remove an offense from a person's criminal record. Instead, the offense and pardon will appear on the person's record.
Who cannot be pardoned by the President?
Under the Constitution, the President has the authority to grant pardon for federal offenses, including those obtained in the United States District Courts, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and military courts-martial. The President cannot pardon a state criminal offense.
Why did Trump Pardon Desiree Perez?
Can a presidential pardoned felon own a firearm?
Only the President of the United States can grant a pardon for a federal felony, which can restore the right to own firearms. The pardon does not erase the conviction but can lift certain civil restrictions associated with it, including gun rights.
Who did Kim Kardashian get Trump to pardon?
Donald Trump pardoned Alice Marie Johnson, a nonviolent drug offender serving a life sentence, after Kim Kardashian successfully advocated for her release, commuting her sentence in 2018 and granting a full pardon in 2020; Johnson later became a "pardon czar" for Trump.
Did Trump pardon Rudy Giuliani?
In April 2024, he was indicted on charges related to the 2020 election in Arizona. He was later disbarred in the state of New York in July, and in the District of Columbia in September. In November 2025, Trump pardoned Giuliani.
Which president never pardoned?
The two U.S. presidents who never granted a pardon were William Henry Harrison, due to his death just a month into office, and James A. Garfield, who was assassinated early in his term, leaving neither president enough time to issue any.
Has Trump pardoned anyone in 2025?
On January 23, 2025, Trump granted pardons to 24 anti-abortion protesters.
Is Jared Kushner's father a billionaire?
Yes, Charles Kushner is considered a billionaire, with recent estimates placing the Kushner family's net worth at around $7.1 billion, largely stemming from his real estate business, Kushner Companies, and investments. While Forbes estimated Kushner Companies at nearly $3 billion and the family's total fortune at $7.1 billion as of late 2024, Charles and his wife own about 20% of the firm, making him a key figure in the family's vast wealth.
How many pardons can the president hand out?
A U.S. President can issue an unlimited number of federal pardons, with no cap on the total, though this power has constitutional limits like not applying to impeachment cases or state crimes, and must be for offenses against the U.S. Presidents have used this power extensively, with figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt issuing thousands and recent presidents granting hundreds or over a thousand, demonstrating the vast scope of this authority.
Why did Obama give so many pardons?
President Obama pardoned and commuted many sentences, particularly near the end of his term, to address the harsh, outdated sentencing laws, especially for nonviolent drug offenses, aiming for a fairer, smarter criminal justice system, and to provide second chances to rehabilitated individuals, using clemency as a tool while urging Congress for broader reforms. His actions aimed to correct disparities, reduce prison overcrowding, and encourage states to follow suit with reforms.
Can a US President pardon US citizens that have not been convicted of a crime?
A federal pardon can be issued prior to the start of a legal case or inquiry, prior to any indictments being issued, for unspecified offenses, and prior to or after a conviction for a federal crime. President Gerald R. Ford's broad federal pardon of former president Richard M.
How many pardons did Bill Clinton give?
President Bill Clinton granted pardons or commutations to 459 people during his two terms, with a significant number, around 140, issued in a controversial batch on his final day in office in January 2001, bringing his total to a higher number than recent predecessors.
Did Trump pardon Charles Kushner?
Yes, Donald Trump pardoned Charles Kushner (father of Jared Kushner) in December 2020, at the end of his first term, for his 2005 conviction on charges including tax evasion, making illegal campaign donations, and witness tampering related to a scheme involving his brother-in-law.
What famous person did Obama pardon?
During his 4th to last day in office, Obama pardoned James Cartwright, who was awaiting sentencing for giving false statements to federal investigators, and Willie McCovey was pardoned for tax evasion.
Who is Trump's pardon lady?
Alice Marie Johnson. Alice Marie Johnson (born May 30, 1955) is an American criminal justice reform advocate and former federal prisoner. She was convicted in 1996 for her involvement in a Memphis cocaine trafficking organization and sentenced to life imprisonment.
What is the most felon-friendly state?
The most friendly state for felons is Vermont, where no felons are disenfranchised and no voting restrictions.
Can two felons live in the same house?
If you have completed your sentence in full, nobody can restrict who you live with. Two felons can live together without any legal consequences.
Can you buy a gun if you've been pardoned?
Federal firearms disabilities are removed for those with state convictions by various state law restoration mechanisms, and for those with federal convictions by a presidential pardon. Federal law does not prohibit possession of antique firearms.