Reveal
All the President’s Pardons
Jan 11, 2025
Charles Duke Tanner, a former professional boxer and nonviolent drug offender, shares his compelling journey after his life sentence was commuted by President Trump. He discusses the intricate clemency process and highlights the long waits many applicants face. Tanner also reflects on the harsh realities of the war on drugs and its impact on African American communities. From his boxing triumphs to the emotional weight of incarceration, his story embodies the struggle for redemption and justice in the clemency landscape.
50:24
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- President Biden's significant pardons highlight the continuing political implications and misuse of presidential clemency, echoing historical abuses like Nixon's actions during Watergate.
- The podcast illuminates the backlog of over 10,000 clemency petitions, underscoring systemic issues in processing requests for nonviolent offenders affected by harsh sentencing laws.
Deep dives
Presidential Clemency Powers and Recent Pardons
Joe Biden exercised his presidential pardon power significantly during his final weeks in office, specifically by granting clemency to his son, Hunter Biden, who faced gun charges and tax evasion. This sweeping pardon addressed all offenses Hunter may have committed over the past 11 years. Additionally, Biden commuted the sentences of 1,500 individuals in a historic move, alongside pardoning 39 others. This marked one of the largest single-day clemency grants in modern history, demonstrating the ongoing use of the pardon power in the U.S. and its implications.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
