Nine people in total were pardoned by President Donald Trump, while two were granted commutations.
President Donald Trump on May 28 signed a flurry of presidential pardons and commutations, including for some well-known former politicians.
In total, the White House confirmed to The Epoch Times, Trump planned to pardon nine individuals convicted of federal crimes, while commuting the sentences for two others. Those nine include former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland and former New York Rep. Michael Grimm—both Republicans.
The suite of pardons comes a day after the president announced that he would be pardoning Todd and Julie Chrisley, who previously starred on the reality show “Chrisley Knows Best” before a conviction that the couple alleged was politically motivated.
Here are some details on those set to be pardoned of their criminal record or have their sentences commuted with records remaining.
Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland
Rowland served as governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004.
That year, he was convicted on honest services fraud and conspiracy charges for accepting gifts, vacations, and home improvements from state contractors in exchange for political favors while serving as governor. He served 10 months in prison.
In 2014, he faced another conviction for campaign finance violations after attempting to hide his role working for a congressional campaign. He was sentenced to 30 months for this second violation.
Rowland completed both sentences and was released from his second conviction in 2018.
The pardon will clear Rowland’s criminal record.
Former New York Congressman
Grimm, who served as a Republican congressman from New York from 2011 to 2015, is also slated for a pardon.
In 2014, Grimm was convicted of tax fraud after admitting to underreporting of over $1 million in wages and sales at a health food restaurant he owned prior to entering Congress. He served eight months in federal prison for these charges.
As in Rowland’s case, Grimm has long since finished his sentence.
Rapper Kentrell Gaulden
Rapper Kentrell Gaulden, also known as “NBA YoungBoy,” will be pardoned for gun violations.
In December 2024, Gaulden pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon in cases taking place in Louisiana and Utah. He was sentenced to 23 months in prison, with time served dating back to May 2024, when he was taken into custody.
“I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building—as a man, as a father, and as an artist,” Gaulden said in a post about the pardon through Instagram Stories.
By Joseph Lord
