President-elect Donald Trump spent the last day of his previous presidency issuing a whopping amount of pardons to everyone from racketeering lobbyists to weapon wielding rappers. Given his support for some celebrities, we wonder if Trump would lend his presidential power to the biggest celebrity case pending right now: Sean “Diddy” Combs.
In January 2021, Trump issued pardons, clemency and commuted sentences for a total of 143 people, per the Department of Justice. The Constitution says a president’s power to grant reprieves and pardons is intended to be used as a tool for “justice” and “mercy” in the interest of the public and not for personal reasons. There are some limitations such as not being able to pardon state criminal offenses, civil liability and impeachment.
When it comes to cases where an individual has not been convicted of a crime yet — such as Combs — the Justice Department says pardons are highly unusual but not impossible. Previous presidents exercised their power ahead of conviction including President Gerald Ford’s pardon of President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. However, the laundry list of Trump’s pardons were all after the individuals were both charged and convicted, per the DOJ.
Combs wouldn’t be the first celebrity Trump would consider to pardon either. He pardoned rapper Lil Wayne after he pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm. Trump also pardoned rapper Kodak Black, who was in federal prison for making a false statement to buy a firearm.
The Root’s analysis of all the 143 pardons Trump granted, however, had no offenses related to sex abuse, sex trafficking or sexual assault. The only charges pardoned similar to that of Combs’ federal charges were counts of racketeering.
Though Combs and Trump were known to have an alliance following the death of Biggie Smalls in 1997, it’s unclear if their perceived friendship will have an influence on Combs’ case. According to the Constitution, it shouldn’t.
Combs’ Federal Sex Crime Case
On Monday, Sept. 16, the 54-year-old rap mogul was arrested in Manhattan by federal authorities, six months after they raided his two homes in Los Angeles and Miami. His indictment was unsealed the following morning, revealing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. The allegations against Combs include sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses.
The most notable claims stem from his so-called “freak off” sex parties, where prosecutors allege women and men were drugged and forced to perform sexual acts at Combs’ pleasure. He was also accused of using video footage to blackmail the victims into compliance.
While many of the suits since 2023 have been civil, this federal case has Combs facing criminal charges. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail three times. His trial is scheduled for May 2025.