President Donald Trump has pardoned six individuals, claiming they were 'persecuted by the Biden Administration,' according to a post on Truth Social. The announcement did not specify the identities of the pardoned individuals but came amid reports that Trump was considering clemency for high-profile figures, including Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Prakazrel 'Pras' Michel of The Fugees.
Combs, currently serving a 50-month sentence for prostitution-related charges in New Jersey, was reportedly among those under consideration for a pardon. Trump had previously denied considering Combs' request, which was reportedly made via a letter. Michel, serving a 14-year sentence for foreign lobbying violations, was also reportedly under review for clemency.
The pardons were announced as part of a broader effort to issue '250 pardons for 250 years' in celebration of America's 250th anniversary. The White House referred to earlier comments by Trump, who had stated in January that he was not considering Combs' pardon request. However, the latest announcement suggests a shift in stance.
The pardons team reportedly did not include Combs or other high-profile cases in their recommendations, but Trump retains ultimate authority over clemency decisions. The White House has not provided further details on the identities of the six pardoned individuals or the criteria for their selection.