Before stepping down, incumbent United States President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including two of his former aides, in the executive power of the presidency.
Among those who received special pardons are the two former Republican lawmakers, including George Papadopoulos, a former adviser to his campaign camp, and attorney Alex van der Zwaan, the BBC reported.
The Republican president also pardoned four security guards involved in the 2007 Iraq genocide.
Trump is expected to pardon many more before leaving the White House on January 20. Outgoing presidents in the United States usually pardon many who have been convicted of less serious crimes before leaving office.
George Papadopoulos and Alex van der Zwaan have already served most of their sentences.
Papadopoulos was convicted of lying to the FBI about meeting two people with ties to Russia during the 2016 election campaign. He told investigators he met the two men “before” working for Trump. In fact, he met “shortly after” he started working for Trump’s team.
Papadopoulos was the first of Trump’s former aides to be arrested during Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe.
Trump has repeatedly called Mueller’s investigation a “hoax” during his tenure. US Justice Department officials said in a statement after Mueller’s investigation that “there was no evidence” that Trump’s camp was colluding with Russia.
The White House said in a statement that Trump’s apology would help correct the mistakes made by Mueller’s investigation team.The Republican president also pardoned two former lawmakers, Chris Collins and Duncan Hunter, who were convicted that day. Last month, Trump also pardoned former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn in his power of the presidency. Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/
