Trump Nearing Retirement Holds Successive 'Pardon Parties'... Releases Key Figures in Russia Scandal and Relatives-in-Law

Pardon Granted to 26 Individuals Including Paul Manafort and Roger Stone

President Donald Trump of the United States [Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] U.S. President Donald Trump has once again carried out a large-scale pardon targeting close aides and in-laws, including Paul Manafort, the first person indicted in the 'Russia scandal.' As criticism arises over the mass use of pardon powers ahead of his January retirement next year, foreign media predict that additional pardons will be made.

According to the Washington Post (WP) and others on the 24th (local time), President Trump pardoned 26 people, including former campaign chairman Manafort, Roger Stone, who was called an 'unofficial aide,' and Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, White House senior advisor and Trump's son-in-law, and separately announced sentence reductions for three others.

The most notable figures pardoned that day were former campaign chairman Manafort and Stone, both involved in the Russia scandal. Manafort, who was part of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, was sentenced to a total of 7 years and 6 months for charges including tax evasion, financial fraud, illegal lobbying, and money laundering. Stone, Trump's longtime friend and unofficial political aide, was indicted on seven charges including false testimony and witness tampering related to the Russia scandal, and was sentenced to 40 months in prison in the first trial.

The New York Times (NYT) analyzed that since these individuals were representative pro-Trump figures indicted by Special Counsel Mueller, this pardon shows how dissatisfied President Trump has been with the special investigation. Accordingly, the number of close aides pardoned by Trump related to the Russia scandal investigation has increased to four, including previously pardoned former National Security Council (NSC) advisor Michael Flynn and former campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos.

In addition, Charles Kushner, a real estate broker and Trump's in-law, was also pardoned. He pleaded guilty in 2004 to charges including tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and false testimony, served two years in prison, and was released in 2006. Margaret Hunter, wife of former Congressman Duncan D. Hunter who was convicted of misusing campaign funds, was also pardoned.

Trump's series of pardons for close aides began on the 25th of last month. As he announces pardons for close aides one after another ahead of his retirement in January next year, he is being criticized for abusing his pardon power before leaving office. WP reported, citing sources, that this pardon is not the last, and that President Trump has instructed his aides to bring him a list of candidates to consider for pardons.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.