In a controversial move, former President Donald Trump has issued pardons to two former police officers convicted in the 2022 killing of a 20-year-old Black man in Washington, D.C. The pardons come after years of legal battles and public outcry regarding the case.
The two officers, whose identities have not been revealed by the former president’s office, were sentenced to prison after being found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of the victim, who was fatally shot during an encounter with police in the Shaw neighborhood of D.C. The shooting had sparked widespread protests and calls for accountability.
Trump, who has made a number of controversial pardons during and after his presidency, justified the decision by asserting that the officers had been treated unfairly in the judicial system. He argued that the case was mishandled by prosecutors and that the officers were merely doing their duty to protect the public.
“The actions of these officers, while tragic, were taken in the heat of the moment and under circumstances that were not fully understood at the time,” Trump said in a statement. “It’s important for law enforcement to be supported and not demonized.”
The pardons have ignited a firestorm of criticism from civil rights organizations, political leaders, and activists. Many have accused Trump of undermining justice and perpetuating a pattern of racial inequality in law enforcement. Advocates for the victim’s family expressed their outrage, saying the pardons sent a dangerous message about police accountability.
“This is a heartbreaking day for the family of the victim and for all who have fought for justice,” said Naomi Clark, a spokeswoman for the civil rights group Justice for All. “By pardoning these officers, former President Trump has once again shown that the lives of Black people do not matter in the eyes of those who hold power.”