Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a fresh round of presidential pardons that could include music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, and several individuals convicted of environmental pollution offences.
Combs is currently serving a prison sentence for prostitution-related offences, while Michel is incarcerated over convictions linked to illegal foreign lobbying.
According to reports, the proposed clemency package is part of a White House initiative dubbed “250 pardons for 250 years” to mark Independence Day.
The US president was scheduled to meet with advisers on Friday, July 3, to review pardon recommendations before making a final decision, according to two sources cited by CBS News.
Although speculation about a possible pardon for Combs has resurfaced, the White House previously dismissed such reports. Trump also said in January that he was not considering a clemency request allegedly submitted by the music executive.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has granted pardons to a wide range of individuals, including political allies and high-profile celebrities, a practice that has reportedly encouraged increased lobbying from those seeking presidential clemency.
As of Friday morning, Trump had not committed to a specific number of pardons. One source told CBS News that the president had been privately discussing several clemency requests, including Combs’ case.
“President Trump is the ultimate decider on any clemency-related actions,” a White House official said in a statement to CBS News.
In January, Trump also told The New York Times that Combs had written to him requesting a pardon but maintained that he was not considering the appeal.
