The United States President, Donald Trump has yesterday granted a presidential pardon to his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and a former adviser Roger Stone, putting an end to the allegation of Russian meddling in the United States election.
Similarly, Charles Kushner, a real estate developer, also a father to his son-in-law, Jared Kushner has enjoyed the gesture.
Before his government winds down, Trump is taking the advantage of the constitution which grants only Mr. President the power to pardon whomever he wishes amongst the convicted to walk away.
The announcement came shortly after President Trump arrives in Palm Beach, Florida where he is expected to spend his holiday in the company of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
About 26 persons enjoyed the presidential pardon and commuted part or all of the sentences and additional three people whom convictions were let in place but commuted part removed.
Shortly after assumption of office, President Trump had repeatedly dismissed claimed by Robbert Muller, US special counsel investigation into an allegation of Russian meddling into the US election.
Reacting to the pardon, a Republican Senator, Ben Sasse, in a six words statement said, “This is rotten to the core.”
Aside from Manafort and Stone, Trump has also pardoned two major from Russia who was part of the probe who are; former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former adviser George Papadopoulos.
Manafort has been undergoing trial over an alleged mortgage fraud by the Manhattan district attorney, the Judge vow to pursue the appeal for the case which was dismissed for double jeopardy.
He said, “This action underscores the urgent need to hold Mr. Manafort accountable for his crimes against the People of New York as alleged in our indictment, and we will continue to pursue our appellate remedies,” said Danny Frost, spokesman for the office.
Manafort, 70, was among the first in Trump’s inner circle to face charges brought by Mueller as part of his probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
According to Mueller’s report, a Russian investigation indicated Trump's move to encourage Manafort “not to cooperate with the government.
Meanwhile, Stone was convicted in November 2019 by a Washington jury of lying under oath to lawmakers also investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Trump commuted his sentence in July, a day before Stone was due to begin serving a term of three years and four months. Stone, in a statement, thanked Trump for “completely erasing the criminal conviction to which I was subjected in a Soviet-style show trial on politically-motivated charges.”
Similarly, the father to his son-in-law, Charles Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering, and making unlawful campaign donations. (Reuters)
