Donald Trump pardons 73 and commutes 70 few hours before leaving office

Impeached US President Donald Trump pardoned 73 people, including his former aide Steve Bannon and other allies, just hours before he was due to leave office on Wednesday.

“President Donald J. Trump granted pardons to 73 individuals and commuted the sentences of an additional 70 individuals,” the White House said in a statement.

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The list did not include the president and his children.

Bannon was a key adviser in Trump’s 2016 presidential run. He was charged with defrauding people over funds raised to build the Mexico border wall that was a flagship Trump policy.

“Mr Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen,” the statement added.

US media earlier reported that the president made his last-minute decision after speaking to Bannon by phone.

Former Trump fund-raiser Elliott Broidy was also pardoned, after pleading guilty last year to conspiring to violate foreign lobbying laws.

Rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black who were prosecuted on federal weapons offences were also granted pardons. Rapper Lil Wayne, who last month pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and faced 10 years in jail.

Kodak Black, 23, who was born Bill Kahan Kapri, is in federal prison for making a false statement in order to buy a firearm.

President-Elect Joe Biden, who beat Trump in an election last year, was due to be sworn in as his successor later Wednesday.

Before that, Trump will fly to his home in Florida, skipping the inauguration ceremony.