Trump commutes gang leader's sentence in a wave of pardons

 

As part of a series of clemency actions, U.S. President Donald Trump commuted the federal prison sentence of Larry Hoover, the founder of a notorious Chicago street gang, on Wednesday. Hoover, who led the Gangster Disciples, was sentenced to six life terms in the 1990s on charges of conspiracy, extortion, drug trafficking, and other crimes.

Despite the commutation of his federal sentence, Hoover still faces a 200-year prison sentence in Illinois for murder and is unlikely to be released anytime soon. A U.S. president is unable to pardon or commute sentences for state-level crimes. In addition to Hoover, Trump also issued pardons to several other individuals, including Michael Grimm, a former New York City congressman who had served seven months in prison after pleading guilty to felony tax fraud.

Along with Hoover and Grimm, eight other people have recently received pardons from Trump. According to the Department of Justice (DoJ), during his second term, the president has granted clemency to over 40 people. Additionally, nearly 1,600 pardons were issued for those convicted or charged in relation to the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot.

Who is Larry Hoover?

Larry Hoover, now 74 years old, founded the Gangster Disciples in Chicago’s South Side in the 1970s. Hoover was convicted in 1973 for ordering the execution of a rival drug dealer. Authorities maintain that Hoover continued to lead the gang from behind bars. In the 1990s, Hoover claimed to have shifted the gang’s focus, establishing a political organization and renaming the gang “Growth and Development,” which he described as a community-service initiative.

Despite his attempts to present himself as a reformed figure, Hoover was convicted on a slew of federal charges in 1997. In recent years, he has been an advocate for criminal justice reform, supporting legislation like the First Step Act, which Trump signed into law in 2018. The law allows for reduced sentences for inmates who participate in programs aimed at reducing recidivism.

Hoover has publicly distanced himself from the Gangster Disciples, stating in a 2022 letter to the court, "I am no longer a member, leader, or even an elder statesman of the Gangster Disciples. I want nothing to do with it now and forever." However, authorities have contested this claim. In 2021, prosecutors alleged that Hoover was still actively involved in promoting the gang’s activities while incarcerated. They contend that Hoover remains the de facto leader of the group.

At a 2022 hearing, a judge asked Hoover's lawyer, "How many other murders is he responsible for?" Hoover’s lawyer, Justin Moore, celebrated the commutation of Hoover’s federal sentence, stating online, “We got Larry Hoover out of federal prison—when many said it was impossible… Illinois must send him home for good.”

Other Pardons and Commutations

In addition to Hoover and Grimm, Trump granted pardons to a number of other individuals on Wednesday, including:

• John Rowland: The former governor of Connecticut, who was convicted of election fraud and sentenced to two and a half years in prison in 2015.

• Kentrell Gaulden (NBA YoungBoy): A rapper who faced various charges including drug offenses, weapons violations, and fraud.

• Kevin Eric Baisden: A convicted fraudster.

• Mark Bashaw: A former army officer convicted in a court martial for violating COVID-19 protection protocols.

• Tanner Mansell and John Moore: Convicted of theft at sea after releasing sharks they believed were being illegally caught. It was later determined the sharks were being caught legally for research purposes.

Additionally, on Tuesday, Trump pardoned reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who had been convicted of tax evasion and defrauding banks.

Trump also indicated he would consider pardoning individuals convicted in connection with the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I did watch the trial,” he said. “It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job… It looked to me like some people said some stupid things.”