Category: Corruption

Trump considering pardon for P. Diddy and other high-profile figures to mark America’s 250th: report | The Independent

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a pardon for Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, the music mogul currently imprisoned in federal prison in New Jersey for prostitution-related crimes, according to CBS News sources. Trump is also weighing clemency for Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of The Fugees, who is serving time for foreign lobbying violations. These potential pardons would reportedly be part of a White House effort to issue “250 pardons for 250 years” to mark America’s 250th anniversary during Independence Day celebrations.

Trump denied considering Combs’ pardon request in January, telling the New York Times he was not granting the alleged request, and the White House similarly dismissed pardon speculation last year. Trump and Combs, both New York-based businessmen with reality television backgrounds, previously knew each other socially, but Trump stated in May that he had not seen or spoken to Combs in years, attributing the relationship’s end to his entry into politics. Combs and Michel are both currently appealing their convictions and sentences.

Trump has deployed the pardon power to benefit political allies, business associates, celebrities, and white-collar criminals. He has pardoned rapper NBA YoungBoy, crypto executive Changpeng Zhao, former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández (a convicted drug trafficker), and more than 1,000 January 6 Capitol rioters. On Friday, Trump announced six pardons for individuals he falsely described as persecuted by the Biden Administration for “fixing their car,” mischaracterizing violations of the Clean Air Act involving tampering with vehicle emissions monitoring devices.

In November, Trump pardoned a Wyoming diesel mechanic who pleaded guilty to violating environmental law by disabling emissions monitors on commercial trucks. The president’s extensive use of pardons has reportedly generated million-dollar lobbying campaigns directed at Trump and his associates. Former crypto executive Sam Bankman-Fried is among high-profile figures pursuing a pardon from Trump, according to Justice Department records.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-pardoning-p-diddy-america-250th-july-4-b3008891.html)cutive Sam Bankman-Fried is among high-profile figures pursuing a pardon from Trump, according to Justice Department records.

Trump Bought 327 Stocks Before Announcing Tariff Pause

President Donald Trump purchased 327 stocks on April 8, 2025, including major holdings in Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia, just six days after imposing tariffs that sent markets into decline. The timing raises serious questions about potential insider trading, as Trump had direct knowledge of his own policy decisions before publicly announcing them.

On April 9, Trump posted “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!” on Truth Social and announced a 90-day pause on tariffs the same day. The tech companies in which he had just purchased shares experienced significant gains following the tariff pause announcement, yielding substantial financial returns for Trump’s portfolio.

Democrats have accused Trump of “corruption” and flagged the apparent conflict of interest inherent in a sitting president executing major stock trades immediately before announcing market-moving policy decisions. A White House spokesperson denied any wrongdoing, but the sequence of events mirrors the pattern of self-dealing that has defined Trump’s business and political career.

The disclosure of 327 stock purchases reveals a president using advance knowledge of his own tariff policy to enrich himself before the market-moving announcement. Such conduct exemplifies how Trump blurs the lines between public office and personal financial gain, prioritizing his portfolio over transparent governance.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-stock-trades-tariffs-financial-disclosures-b3008696.html)

Belgian Diamond Group Gifts Trump Ring After Winning Tariff Relief

A Belgian diamond industry group gifted President Donald Trump a 321-diamond encrusted gold ring valued between $25,000 and $35,000 during an America 250th birthday celebration in Brussels this week. The Antwerp World Diamond Center presented the ring through U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, with the interior engraved “Crafted in Antwerp for Donald John Trump.” The ring features sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and gold forming symbols including the letters “T,” Superman’s logo, and an eagle, along with references to the years 1776, 2026, 45, and 47.

The gift directly followed Belgium’s diamond industry securing removal of U.S. tariffs on diamond imports worth over $2 billion annually to the United States. In September, the Antwerp World Diamond Center announced it had “succeeded in securing a zero percent import tariff” on polished diamonds after the industry group provided “input” to the European Commission during 2025 tariff negotiations with Trump. The timing connects a tangible financial benefit to the diamond sector with the presentation of an expensive personal gift.

Trump has broken with decades of White House custom by accepting such gifts, according to four U.S. ethics experts consulted by the Associated Press. Unlike previous presidents who declined lavish personal gifts to avoid conflicts of interest, Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure revealed multiple high-value gifts including a $250,000 sculpture and $15,000 in World Cup final tickets from FIFA. A White House official stated on condition of anonymity that the ring has not yet been officially presented to Trump, and Ambassador White later deleted a social media post showing him wearing the ring.

U.S. presidents retain broad discretion to accept gifts from foreign and domestic sources, though gifts from foreign governments are prohibited without congressional consent unless the president reimburses the Treasury. Personal gifts must be registered on annual financial disclosures. The diamond industry’s successful tariff elimination combined with presentation of an expensive luxury item valued at $25,000 to $35,000 exemplifies how direct material interests align with ostentatious gift-giving to the president.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/antwerp-belgian-brussels-treasury-kash-patel-b3008523.html)

Trump Considers 250 Pardons for July 4

The Trump White House is considering announcing approximately 250 presidential pardons during Fourth of July weekend celebrations, marketing the initiative as “250 pardons for 250 years” to coincide with America’s semiquincentennial. According to 14 people familiar with internal discussions, the proposal has generated significant debate among Trump’s advisers, with some viewing it as reinforcing an image of “Trump the merciful” while others warn the move could damage the president politically amid low approval ratings and Republican congressional concerns.

The prospect of mass pardons has triggered an intense international lobbying frenzy, with lawyers, lobbyists, and intermediaries charging $1 million to $2 million in fees to facilitate access to the pardon process. Former Trump associates describe the current environment as distinctly different from his first term, with one noting that “everything is now out in the open” rather than attempts to disguise the appearance of selling clemency. Multiple attorneys and officials have expressed alarm, with one criminal defense lawyer calling it “a three-ring circus” and describing the demand for pardon representation as overwhelming in recent weeks.

Among individuals reportedly under consideration for pardons are Malaysian fugitive Jho Low, involved in a multibillion-dollar financial fraud scheme; Pras Michel of the musical group the Fugees, convicted of conspiring with Low on illegal lobbying activities; and Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste, sentenced to nine years for her role in a forced-labor conspiracy. The White House subsequently denied that these individuals are “on the radar of the pardon team,” though multiple sources confirmed discussions about their cases and those of “very rich, well-placed individuals” from India, Greece, Turkey, and France.

The pardon process has been substantially replaced by informal networks of intermediaries rather than the established Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney review, according to people involved in the effort. One prominent white-collar defense attorney stated flatly that “for $2 million, you can have a pardon,” while former Justice Department Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer characterized Trump’s approach as converting the pardon system into a transactional mechanism divorced from traditional legal review. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt countered that the administration maintains a “rigorous review process,” though the accounts from attorneys and former officials contradict this characterization.

Trump’s advisers remain divided on whether the mass pardon announcement would strengthen his political position by consolidating base support ahead of midterms or damage his standing given weak approval ratings and Republican congressional opposition. Although some advocates, including “pardon czar” Alice Johnson, support linking the pardons to themes of freedom and correcting allegedly punitive sentences, Republican members of Congress have expressed concerns that such action could complicate confirmation proceedings for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.



(Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/06/trump-250-pardons-250th-birthday/687736/)

Trump Denies Managing Billion-Dollar Crypto Profits

Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that he plays no active role in his financial dealings, attributing his reported $1 billion windfall to unnamed financial advisers rather than his own deliberate business decisions. Trump stated he does not “get involved” in his personal finances because he has “funds that run my money well,” even as his sons Don Jr. and Eric stood nearby during the remarks to reporters traveling to North Dakota.

Trump’s assertion contradicts his actual financial structure. Unlike presidents who typically place assets in blind trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, Trump never did so and maintains direct control over his business holdings alongside his children. Financial disclosures reveal the Trump family sold a 49% stake in his cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial to a UAE official for $500 million, demonstrating active family involvement in major business transactions.

Trump’s cryptocurrency earnings significantly exceed his traditional real estate income. Financial disclosures document over $1 billion in profits from two cryptocurrency businesses, substantially surpassing revenues from his property portfolio. The UFC will compensate fighters with stablecoins issued by World Liberty Financial, Trump’s cryptocurrency venture co-founded with his sons, illustrating the direct connection between his family’s crypto interests and his presidential actions.

Trump’s cryptocurrency profits are directly tied to his presidential actions and policy decisions. Since taking office, Trump reversed his previous tough stance on cryptocurrency regulation and actively promoted industry-friendly policies after receiving campaign contributions from crypto interests. This pattern demonstrates how Trump has leveraged his presidency to advance financial interests that allegedly operate without his involvement.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-billions-stocks-financial-disclosures-crypto-b3006973.html)

Donald Trump Talks About Giving His Sons the Medal of Honor

President Trump used a speech at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota on Wednesday to talk repeatedly about awarding himself and his sons the Congressional Medal of Honor. Trump referenced the historical father-son pairs of Theodore Roosevelt and General Theodore Roosevelt Jr., and Arthur MacArthur and General Douglas MacArthur, who are among the only recipients of the award, then pivoted to himself. "As I see my two beautiful sons sitting there, I think, 'I'm going to give one to myself and one to them'. We'll have a threesome. I'll pick out one of the two," Trump stated, adding he would give the medals "for their genius at hunting" and claiming he deserves one "for taking on Russia, Russia, Russia, or something."

Trump acknowledged the routine nature of these comments, admitting "I have thought about this" while claiming to joke frequently on the topic. He also noted the risk of his remarks being misinterpreted, saying "this is dangerous to say because the fake news is up there." Trump has made similar Medal of Honor jokes at least twice within two weeks, including a recent appearance in Montana, establishing a pattern of returning to the idea throughout his second term.

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration, awarded exclusively for extraordinary heroism in combat. Trump's casual treatment of the award contradicts his stated reverence for it; he has previously struggled publicly with the ceremonial presentation of the medal, fumbling to fasten it around a recipient's neck at a formal Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony.

The remarks reflect Trump's pattern of conflating personal grievance with national honors and blurring the line between jest and actual policy inclination. Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, were present during the speech but did not respond publicly to the comments about receiving military decorations neither has earned through military service.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-drops-wild-rant-about-giving-his-sons-medals/)

Trump Flips Out at Gas Companies Over ‘Illegal’ Gouging

President Donald Trump demanded that gasoline retailers immediately slash prices to approximately $2.50 per gallon, accusing them of “totally illegal” price gouging in a Monday Truth Social post. Trump claimed that with crude oil around $68-70 per barrel, significantly lower than the $100+ levels following his Iran war, gas stations were not passing savings to consumers, and warned of “big problems ahead” if retailers did not comply.

The national average gas price stood at $3.86 per gallon as of Monday, down from peaks near $4.50 in recent months. The U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran in February, prompting Iran to effectively block the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil transits; a tenuous ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is currently in effect. Trump previously claimed his administration was conducting a “big investigation” into pricing practices by major oil companies including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP.

Last week, Chevron CFO Eimear Bonner stated that a lag exists between crude oil price declines and retail pump prices, with reductions expected as market conditions normalize. Trump has repeatedly downplayed the impact of his military actions on energy costs, telling reporters in May that gas prices represented “peanuts” and assuring the public the situation would not persist long.

Trump’s current demand contradicts his prior messaging and mischaracterizes how energy markets function. By framing market dynamics as criminal behavior and threatening retailers with unspecified consequences, he attempts to leverage presidential power to dictate prices without acknowledging his own foreign policy decisions that disrupted global oil supplies and contributed to price volatility.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-flips-out-at-gas-companies-over-totally-illegal-gouging-drop-your-price/)al oil supplies and contributed to price volatility.

Trump Celebrates Supreme Court Ruling Expanding Presidential Firing Power

Donald Trump celebrated a Supreme Court ruling that expanded presidential authority to fire Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioners, claiming the decision overturned 90 years of precedent and "greatly increasing Presidential Power." Trump had fired Biden-appointee Rebecca Slaughter from the FTC in 2025, citing her service as "inconsistent with the Administration's priorities," and the Court's 6-3 decision on Monday upheld his authority to do so.

In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court limited Trump's power by preventing him from firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, preserving the central bank's independence from executive removal authority. Trump had fired Cook in August after Federal Housing Finance Agency chief Bill Pulte accused her of mortgage fraud; Cook has denied the charge. Trump vowed to pursue "appropriate action immediately" and claimed Cook committed "wrongdoing," while Pulte, now interim head of the Department of National Intelligence, reiterated his belief that Cook "will be indicted for mortgage fraud."

It's important to note that Trump has falsely claimed mail-in voting is "really dishonest"; it is a legitimate voting method used by legitimate voters, including Trump himself.

All evidence shows fraud rates are tiny. He also falsely described what Jimmy Carter and a Carter-led 2005 commission said about mail-in ballots. Carter didn't say "you can't have them," and the commission didn't declare cheating inevitable. Additionally, Trump falsely claimed, "We're the only nation that does birthright citizenship," though about three dozen countries provide automatic citizenship to people born on their soil.

CNN's Paula Reid explained the split outcome, noting that the FTC ruling favored Trump because the agency operates within the Executive branch, while the Federal Reserve maintains independence as a separate entity. The decisions represent conflicting judicial positions on the scope of presidential removal powers, with the Court granting Trump greater control over executive agencies while constraining his authority over the Fed.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-takes-victory-lap-over-supreme-court-case-greatly-increasing-presidential-power/)

Supreme Court Lets Border Agents Strip Green Cards Without Proof

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority, led by Justice Clarence Thomas, ruled 6-3 that border officers may deny reentry to green card holders based on unproven criminal allegations without requiring “clear and convincing evidence” of actual wrongdoing. The decision strips lawful permanent residents of foundational due process protections and empowers border agents to treat returning green card holders as “applicants for admission” vulnerable to detention and removal on mere suspicion, even if convictions occur only after their return or result in acquittal.

The case involved Muk Choi Lau, a Chinese national and lawful permanent resident since 2007, who was arrested in 2012 for allegedly selling counterfeit goods and briefly left the U.S. Upon return, immigration officers declared him inadmissible based on pending charges. A federal appeals court had previously required “clear and convincing evidence” of an actual crime before changing his status, but the Supreme Court overturned that protection Tuesday. Lau ultimately pleaded guilty in 2013 and was ordered removed, but the ruling’s scope extends far beyond his case.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissent condemned the majority for handing the government a “massive blank check” to rewrite immigration law and circumvent statutory protections. She warned that green card holders face potential years in legal limbo or detention even if later acquitted, as the sequencing of charging before conviction or conviction before hearing fundamentally contradicts the plain terms of immigration statutes. The ruling violates the rights of lawful permanent residents who have already cleared security vetting to establish their status.

This decision amplifies the Trump administration’s coordinated assault on legal immigration pathways, executed by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and immigration officials who have transformed agencies into loyalty enforcement arms of the mass deportation campaign. A federal judge recently found that USCIS policies unlawfully discriminated against asylum seekers, green card applicants, and citizenship candidates “solely by the happenstance of their birth,” using purported national security concerns that “mask anti-immigrant sentiments” to justify sweeping removal actions leaving thousands in legal limbo.

Concurrent efforts target additional legal immigration protections, including attempts to strip Temporary Protected Status from over one million immigrants and accelerated citizenship revocation proceedings against naturalized Americans. The administration also unlawfully terminated status for tens of thousands who used a Biden-era appointment app at the U.S.-Mexico border, a determination a federal judge made earlier this year. Combined with Tuesday’s Supreme Court green card ruling, these actions dismantle legal immigration infrastructure while operating under false claims that enforcement targets only the “worst of the worst.”



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/supreme-court-green-card-immigration-ruling-b3005036.html)

Trump White House Secretly Pressured Board Protecting Federal Workers

The Trump administration orchestrated a covert pressure campaign on the Merit Systems Protection Board, a federal agency designed to shield civil service employees from arbitrary dismissal, resulting in a March ruling that dismantled decades of precedent protecting federal workers. The board's decision accepted the White House's constitutional theory that President Trump possesses sweeping authority to remove officials without due process, effectively erasing civil service protections for federal employees, including immigration judges whose legal duties often conflict with Trump's political objectives. This ruling represents a deliberate dismantling of the most effective mechanism federal workers possess to contest wrongful termination.

The pressure campaign, led by a White House aide dedicated to expediting federal worker terminations, operated through both public and private channels in ways that parallel direct judicial coercion. By compelling the board to abandon established legal standards, the Trump administration weaponized a protective agency into a tool for authoritarian control over the federal workforce. The board's reversal of longstanding doctrine signals the administration's systematic effort to consolidate executive power and eliminate institutional checks on presidential authority.

This decision implements the "unitary executive" theory, a cornerstone of Trump's governing philosophy that concentrates all executive branch power in the presidency, allowing Trump to direct federal prosecutors, immigration judges, and other officials whose professional independence once constrained his political agenda. The administration has already moved to measure HHS employees' performance based on demonstrable loyalty to Trump's policies, illustrating the practical application of this authority. The ruling defangs the primary legal recourse available to federal workers challenging unlawful dismissals.

Though the board's decision does not directly affect pending Supreme Court cases on presidential power over the civil service, its precedent could devastate protections for vast segments of the federal workforce if upheld on appeal. The timing and methodology of this ruling reveal the administration's calculated assault on institutional independence, transforming independent agencies into compliance mechanisms for Trump's consolidation of power.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/28/us/politics/trump-firings-workers-merit-systems-protection-board.html)

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