Trump pardons former aide Bannon and 72 others

Trump pardons former aide Bannon and 72 others

Outgoing US President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned 73 people, including his former aide Steve Bannon, the White House said, just before he was due to leave office.

"President Donald J Trump granted pardons to 73 individuals and commuted the sentences of an additional 70 individuals," his administration said in a statement, reports AFP

Earlier, US media reported Tuesday that before Trump flies to Florida on Wednesday morning -- skipping Joe Biden's inauguration -- he is expected to issue scores of other pardons, with speculation rife over who might make the list.

The latest indications are that Trump will not take the legally dubious step of issuing himself and his children preemptive pardons.

According to the statement, pardons were also announced for rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black as well as for the former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Lil Wayne and Kodak Black have both been prosecuted on weapons charges while Kwame Kilpatrick is serving a 28-year prison term on corruption charges, reports BBC.

It is common for outgoing presidents to issue pardons before they leave the White House.

A pardon cancels a criminal conviction, while a commutation shortens or ends a prison sentence. When it comes to crimes charged in a federal court, the US president has virtually unlimited power to pardon.

mj/