The White House is gathering a team of advisers to guide President Trump on commutations and pardons.
The move shows Trump wants to have a more direct role in the clemency process, which is typically overseen by the Justice Department. White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, who is also Trump’s son-in-law, has taken the lead in putting together the advisory group, which will consist of 11 people, according to the Washington Post.
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is taking on a leading role in vetting candidates for clemency.
The news comes after Trump granted clemency to 11 people on Tuesday, including former Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and financier Michael Milken.
Trump has focused largely on pardoning or commuting the sentences of white-collar criminals and those serving lengthy sentences. One Trump administration official said Trump “likes doing them” and was not concerned with criticism.
Recent reports suggest Trump is considering pardoning a longtime GOP operative and friend Roger Stone. Fox News host Tucker Carlson urged Trump to pardon Stone after he was convicted last year of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice.
On Thursday, Trump tweeted a clip of Carlson arguing for a pardon for Stone.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2020
