On Wednesday, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump had granted a full pardon to rapper Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, better known as NBA YoungBoy. The surprising move came alongside the commuted sentence of former gang leader Larry Hoover, marking one of Trump’s last major acts of clemency in office.
NBA YoungBoy’s Reaction and Gratitude
Shortly after the pardon was announced, YoungBoy posted on social media:
“I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building—as a man, as a father, and as an artist. This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.”
He also expressed thanks to Trump’s “Pardon Czar,” Alice Johnson, and his lawyer, Brittany K. Barnett, for their relentless advocacy. YoungBoy concluded: “And thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
Legal Troubles and Pardon Scope
Born in Baton Rouge, NBA YoungBoy rose to stardom with raw, confessional mixtapes like 38 Baby and AI YoungBoy. His emotionally charged music has earned billions of streams—16.3 million monthly Spotify listeners and more than 15 billion YouTube views—despite repeated brushes with the law.
- 2024 Prescription Fraud Arrest: While under house arrest in Utah, YoungBoy faced 63 counts, including identity fraud and forgery, tied to an alleged prescription drug ring at his multimillion-dollar home.
- Plea Agreement: He accepted a 23-month federal sentence, a $25,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. Crediting time served, he was freed in April and moved into a Phoenix halfway house for the remainder of his term.
- Decade of Arrests: Since 2014, charges have ranged from robbery and attempted murder to drug and firearm offenses. Yet, he released multiple albums and mixtapes even during incarceration.
Trump’s pardon forgives YoungBoy’s federal crimes but does not expunge convictions or imply innocence. The White House offered no detailed rationale, but YoungBoy’s case mirrors other high-profile clemencies Trump argues correct for a “weaponized justice system.”
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Simultaneous Commutation of Larry Hoover
In the same announcement, Trump commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, the former Chicago gang leader serving life at Colorado’s supermax prison. Hoover’s son, Larry Hoover Jr., and artists Kanye West (now Ye) and Drake had campaigned for his release, praising Hoover’s self-help programs behind bars.
- Who Is Larry Hoover? Founder of the Chicago gang the Supreme Crew, Hoover received multiple life sentences in the 1970s and ‘80s.
- Cultural Impact: Ye and Drake’s 2021 song “Jesus Lord” and a White House meeting in 2018 spotlighted Hoover’s perceived transformation and charitable work from prison.
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Public and Political Reactions
Conservative commentator George Behizy voiced mixed feelings on X (formerly Twitter):
“I’m not necessarily supportive of pardoning thugs like YoungBoy, but he should now live like a normal, law-abiding human. His music should be wholesome. No more rapping about ‘ops’ and ‘gangs.’”
Behizy added that clemencies could better serve “real heroes,” citing calls to pardon Edward Snowden or Julian Assange. Political analyst Dominic Michael Trippi criticized the timing, posting:
“NBA YoungBoy pardon before the Epstein files. Unserious and ridiculous.”
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Next Steps for YoungBoy
With his federal record cleared, YoungBoy is free to pursue new endeavors. He has announced a 27-city Make America Smile Again (MASA) Tour, kicking off September 2 in Dallas. The tour name nods to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, blending entertainment with political overtones.
Broader Implications of Trump’s Clemency Blitz
As Trump’s term winds down, his pardons underscore enduring debates about the justice system:
- Presidential Clemency Power: The pardon and commutation reflect the president’s unique authority to forgive federal offenses, a tool Trump has wielded liberally.
- Reform Arguments: Supporters say clemency addressed over-punishment and racial disparities. Critics argue high-profile pardons undermine the rule of law and reward celebrity.
- Future Prospects: Observers will watch how YoungBoy and Hoover navigate life post-pardon—and whether their cases spur broader criminal-justice reforms.
Trump’s decision to pardon NBA YoungBoy and commute Larry Hoover’s sentence leaves a complex legacy. As YoungBoy readies his nationwide tour, questions linger about the long-term impact of these clemencies on the lives of those pardoned and the broader justice system.
📢 Stay with TNN for the latest on Trump pardon NBA YoungBoy, criminal-justice reforms, and all developments in high-profile clemency cases. 🚨
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