There has been speculation for weeks that Donald Trump would start issuing a large number of pardons and today he did just that. Many are calling this the first wave of pardons. The New York Times writes:
In an audacious pre-Christmas round of pardons, President Trump granted clemency on Tuesday to two people convicted in the special counsel’s Russia inquiry, four Blackwater guards convicted in connection with the killing of Iraqi civilians and three corrupt former Republican members of Congress.
Hunter was set to start serving prison time next month on a charge of misusing campaign funds.
There is no indication that these pardons went through the Justice Department or followed proper protocol.
*This is a developing story, check back for more