In this file photo taken on January 22, 2017, Donald Trump congratulates Stephen Bannon during the swearing-in of senior staff
(AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump pardoned his former aide Steve Bannon and nearly 150 others as part of his final act as president before he leaves the White House later on Wednesday.
Among the names were rap artists, ex-members of Congress and other allies of him and his inner circle, but he left off the list his own family and Joe Exotic, the subject of the Netflix series Tiger King, who was rumoured to be in line for clemency.
Flouting tradition, Mr Trump has said he will depart Washington on Wednesday morning ahead of the inauguration rather than accompany his successor to the Capitol.
Trump ‘discussing forming new political outfit called the Patriot Party’
Donald Trump is not going to quietly settle down into retirement in Florida, a report suggests.
The outgoing president is said to be discussing forming a new political outfit called the Patriot Party.
In his farewell speech, Mr Trump hinted at that plan, saying his movement was “just beginning”.
Tom Batchelor20 January 2021 08:28
How Trump’s final few hours in office will unfold
Donald Trump will walk out of the White House and board Marine One for the last time as president on Wednesday.
The helicopter will take him to Joint Base Andrews to catch Air Force One to his Mar-a-Lago club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He will skip Joe Biden’s inauguration but not before giving himself a grand military sendoff, complete with a red carpet, military band and 21-gun salute.
Guests have been invited, but it is unclear how many will attend. Vice President Mike Pence won’t be there, citing the logistical challenges of getting from the air base to the inauguration ceremonies.
Trump will retire to Florida with a small group of former White House aides to chart his political future.
Tom Batchelor20 January 2021 08:18
Trump insists his ‘movement’ is ‘just beginning’ in farewell address to nation
The outgoing president has told his supporters that their movement is “just beginning” in a farewell speech to the nation, which also saw Donald Trump wish Joe Biden luck for the next four years.
“This week we inaugurate a new administration, and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous. We extend our best wishes, and want them to have luck, a very important word,” he said in his speech from the White House, even as he skipped the symbolic transfer of power at the inauguration.
Tom Batchelor20 January 2021 08:07
Trump pardons Bannon and dozens more friends and allies
Donald Trump has granted a last-minute pardon to his former political adviser, Steve Bannon, as part of a flurry of clemency and commutations issued to allies of himself and his family during his final moments as president.
Also on Trump’s list were:
- Elliott Broidy, a Republican fundraiser who pleaded guilty in a scheme to lobby the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the looting of a Malaysian wealth fund
- Ken Kurson, a friend of the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner who was charged last October with cyberstalking during a heated divorce.
- Rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, both convicted in Florida on weapons charges
- Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican who served three years for corruption, money laundering and other charges
- Duke Cunningham of California, who was convicted of accepting $2.4m in bribes from defence contractors
- Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has served about seven years behind bars for a racketeering and bribery scheme
Tom Batchelor20 January 2021 07:56
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of Donald Trump’s final few hours in office.
Tom Batchelor20 January 2021 07:48
