Trump pardons Lil Wayne, Kodak Black — hours before Biden’s inauguration

Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, two American rappers, were among the multiple individuals granted pardons and commutations by President Donald Trump on his final full day in office.

Trump on Tuesday night granted pardon to 73 people and commuted the sentences of 70 others, barely a few hours before Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.

Kayleigh McEnany, press secretary of the white house, broke the news in a statement in the early hours of Wednesday.

Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, had pleaded guilty to illegal gun possession on December 11 following his arrest in 2019. He risks up to 10-year jail term in federal prison as he awaits his sentencing later this month.

He had publicly endorsed Trump for re-election during the 2020 US presidential polls.

On his part, Kodak Black, whose real name is Bill Kapri, was sentenced to more than three years in prison in November 2019 and is serving his time in federal prison after pleading guilty to a firearms possession charge.

Also included in the list are Steve Bannon, his former campaign manager, and Kwame Kilpatrick, former mayor of Detroit, among others.

“President Trump granted a full pardon to Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., also known as ‘Lil Wayne. Mr. Carter pled guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, owing to a conviction over 10 years ago. Brett Berish of Sovereign Brands, who supports a pardon for Mr. Carter, describes him as ‘trustworthy, kind-hearted and generous,” the statement read.

“Mr. Carter has exhibited this generosity through commitment to a variety of charities, including donations to research hospitals and a host of foodbanks. Deion Sanders, who also wrote in support of this pardon, calls Mr. Wayne ‘a provider for his family, a friend to many, a man of faith, a natural giver to the less fortunate, a waymaker, [and] a game changer.

“President Trump granted a commutation to Bill Kapri, more commonly known as Kodak Black. Kodak Black is a prominent artist and community leader. This commutation is supported by numerous religious leaders, including Pastor Darrell Scott and Rabbi Schneur Kaplan.”