ASHLAND, Ky. — In a world far removed from the White House, Chad Scott toiled away on a prison typewriter, plotting a letter to President Donald Trump. Scott, a former DEA agent convicted of corruption, made a bid for clemency, hoping to catch the President’s eye by highlighting some striking similarities between them. Both had endured gunshot wounds to the ear, and both faced convictions for falsifying records. He portrayed himself as a victim of “political persecution,” language he believed Trump, who often decries witch hunts, would find compelling.
Scott’s attorney elaborated on his client’s appeal by labeling him “a hero in this country’s war on drugs” and arguing that continuing to imprison him would be a waste of taxpayer money. Scott is just one of many who hope Trump’s pattern of granting clemency entices him to act on their behalf. Since assuming office, Trump has granted clemency at an extraordinary rate, pardoning over 1,600 individuals, including allies and those linked to the Capitol riot.
Traditionally, a meticulous process overseen by the Justice Department determined clemency requests. This has shifted under Trump’s presidency, where the decision-making appears driven by personal ties and political motivations, creating what former pardon attorney Liz Oyer describes as “a free-for-all.” Prisoners like Eric Sanchez Chaparro remain optimistic, feeling kinship with Trump due to their shared experience with felony convictions. Chaparro, among others, perceives Trump as an understanding figure capable of empathizing with their plight.
The surge in clemency petitions is evident, with the Justice Department inundated with over 9,300 requests in just a few months, a figure surpassing those filed in entire previous administrations. Trump’s clemency power is absolute, unchallengeable by courts or other government bodies, allowing him to commutate or pardon as he deems fit.
While controversy over presidential pardons is nothing new, Trump’s approach has been particularly criticized for its unpredictability and partisan slant. His appointment of Ed Martin Jr., a supporter known for defending January 6 rioters, as the Justice Department’s pardon attorney exemplifies this shift. Critics argue Trump’s clemency practice mainly favors political allies and donors, neglecting those traditionally prioritized.
Nonetheless, Trump’s strategy has sparked a glimmer of hope for prisoners with long-overturned appeals. For some, like Jonathan E. Woods, a former state senator sentenced for bribery, the Trump administration presents a rare chance for liberation. Woods believes Trump’s own legal battles position him as a sympathetic ear for those wronged by the justice system. Reports of FBI misconduct in Woods’ case add weight to his plea, resonating with Trump’s long-standing grievances against federal investigations.
Under this new clemency regime, those previously snubbed see renewed opportunity, as with the case of Eddie and Joe Sotelo. Initially rejected under Biden’s tenure, their advocates successfully mobilized support under Trump’s guidance, resulting in a pardon engineered by Alice Marie Johnson, a notable pardon czar known for her advocacy work. Johnson’s involvement underscores the unpredictable nature and potential success pathways of Trump-era clemency.
In FCI Ashland, where Scott is imprisoned, anticipation looms large. Pardons seem within reach as Trump veers away from traditional metrics like remorse or time served, focusing instead on personal narratives and connections. Scott claims innocence in his petitions, maintaining his composure as a model inmate, even humorously naming a service dog he trains “Trump,” perhaps as a nod to the President’s influence on his fate.
Scott’s past achievements as a DEA agent add a complex dimension to his clemency application. Once celebrated for his work, his career unraveled due to allegations of misconduct, leading to his conviction. Now, clemency represents his final hope for freedom, as he exhausts his legal options.
The evolving clemency landscape represents both an opportunity and a challenge, reshaping the dynamics of justice and forgiveness under Trump’s unpredictable presidency. As his tenure progresses, the reach and impact of his clemency decisions remain a topic of robust discussion and scrutiny.