Trump Pardons Lil Wayne, Kodak Black amid presidential exit

Donald Trump ended his presidency by granting clemency to multiple individuals which includes rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black.

In an official White House statement released late Tuesday night, Desiree Perez, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. and Bill K. Kapri were all on the clemency list. In total, Trump issued 73 pardons and commuted the sentences of 70 additional individuals, including his former adviser Steve Bannon, former Republican National Committee chairman Elliott Broidy, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Ken Kurson, the former editor of the New York Observer.

Last November, Carter was charged with one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He had previously pleaded guilty to a felony gun charge in New York in 2009 and was eventually sentenced to a year in prison. The new charge stemmed from an incident that took place December 23rd, 2019 in Miami-Dade County in Florida.

The president’s statement on pardons and commutations released early Wednesday said Lil Wayne “has exhibited this generosity through commitment to a variety of charities, including donations to research hospitals and a host of foodbanks.”

The statement also cited the support of former NFL football star Deion Sanders, who said the rapper is “a provider for his family, a friend to many, a man of faith, a natural giver to the less fortunate, a waymaker, [and] a game changer.”

In Black’s case, a Miami federal judge sentenced the local rapper to three years and ten months, far less than the maximum 10-year sentence he could have received. He’s served about half of his sentence.

Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership. He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done. 🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/Q9c5k1yMWf

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) October 29, 2020

The president’s statement said he had the support of “numerous religious leaders,” as well as former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik, Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson and rappers Gucci Mane, Lil Pump and Lil Yachty. He also had the support of school-safety activist Hunter Pollack, the brother of Meadow Pollack, one of the shooting victims of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland.

Trump’s statement said Black “became deeply involved in numerous philanthropic efforts” and supports charitable efforts that help the families of slain police officers and needy school children.