Earlier this month, the Trump administration had suggested it might mark America’s 250th birthday by granting clemency to hundreds of people. Instead, it issued 11 pardons in early July, including to people convicted of environmental crimes and a political donor, while denying clemency to thousands of other applicants. Reports suggest most of the applicants who were turned away lacked political connections. Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has given clemency to roughly 1,600 people charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 attacks on the Capitol, as well as to dozens of allies and donors.
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