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SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
A batch of more than 140 pardons and sentence commutations in the final hours of Donald Trump’s presidency highlighted the growing politicization of clemency, divorced from the initial goals of mercy and serving the public good.
Stephen Bannon, a key strategist behind Mr. Trump’s 2016 election triumph, was among several former political cronies who received presidential pardons. Others included Elliott Broidy, a major Republican donor, and three former Republican members of Congress, two of whom had served jail time for corruption. Previous pardons have gone to Paul Manafort, campaign chairman during part of the 2016 run; Roger Stone, a friend and political adviser; and Michael Flynn,
On Fox News, Jeanine Pirro has served as one of Trump s most ardent cheerleaders. She championed his 2020 candidacy in mid-September at Eastchester s Back the Blue rally at Lake Isle Country Club. Pirro assailed athletes who took a knee to protest police brutality, questioned the Black Lives Matter movement, and hailed Trump s devotion to his followers. This man is committed to each and every one of you,” Jeanine Pirro said. “He will go the distance for you. He is fighting for you and the military. And now it’s time for you to fight back for him because if that other bozo gets in, say goodbye to the America we know.”
Trump vows: We will be back in some form
21 Jan, 2021 06:00 AM
7 minutes to read Goodbye, we love you, we will be back in some form, Donald J. Trump told supporters in his final hours as president. Photo / Pete Marovich, The New York Times
New York Times
By: Maggie Haberman
Defeated and twice impeached, the 45th president used his farewell remarks before a sparse crowd to brag about his record and wish luck to the incoming administration. President Donald J. Trump left Washington aboard Air Force One for a final time on Wednesday (Thursday NZ time), the iconic plane creeping along the runway so the liftoff was timed to the closing strains of Frank Sinatra s My Way.
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For those who watched it (and even those who missed it), the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris was a history-making event steeped in significance.
Mr Biden became the oldest president to be sworn in, while Ms Harris was the first black, South-Asian and female American to become vice-president.
But they weren t the only things to make an impact. US Youth National Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman also became the youngest poet in US history to play a significant role in an inauguration.
There were also smaller moments, too, that although not history making, captured the hearts and minds of many.
Albert Pirro had been among those expected to be on the list issued in the early hours of Wednesday morning. But when he was not, his ex-wife lobbied Trump directly.