Trump pardons Steve Bannon, rapper Lil Wayne in final wave of clemency

President Trump pardoned former White House adviser Steve Bannon, several ex-congressman and two high profile rappers in a final wave of clemency and commutations as he left office.

The White House released the list of 73 pardons and 70 commutations early Wednesday morning, and it did not include Trump himself, any family members or his attorney Rudy Giuliani as some had speculated.

Many of the recipients were everyday citizens convicted of drug offenses who had turned their lives around, including one whose pardon was advocated by the very judge who sent the man to prison.

The list also included some celebrities like rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, both of whom were prosecuted on federal weapons charges, former professional sports gambler William “Billy” Walters and Democratic Ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, whose 28-year prison term for corruption was commuted by Trump.

Walters, whose sentenced was commuted, was the subject of a Just the News investigative project last year highlighting abuses and leaks by the FBI during his insider trading case. His clemency had widespread bipartisan support ranging from former Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid to ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik. 

At least three former congressmen — Rick Renzi, Randall “Duke” Cunningham and Robin Hayes — also received clemency.

You can read the full list here.

Bannon was charged last year with corruption related to an effort he was involved with that attempted to raise private funds to help build Trump’s border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. He has pleaded not guilty. Bannon now has a daily internet-based TV show called Warroom Pandemic that has been at the forefront of making the case that there was massive fraud in the recent presidential election.