On his last full day in the White House yesterday (January 19), President Donald Trump officially pardoned over 100 people and among the names are rap stars Lil Wayne and Kodak Black.
After pleading guilty to possessing an illegal firearm last month, Lil Wayne – real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr – was looking at up to 10 years in prison.
Weezy’s charge was related to a weapons conviction in 2009 where Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and served eight months of a one-year sentence. Convicted felons are banned from owning firearms under federal law.
“President Trump granted a full pardon to Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., also known as ‘Lil Wayne,'” the statement from White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany read.
“Mr. Carter pled guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, owing to a conviction over 10 years ago. Brett Berish of Sovereign Brands, who supports a pardon for Mr. Carter, describes him as ‘trustworthy, kind-hearted and generous.’
“Mr. Carter has exhibited this generosity through commitment to a variety of charities, including donations to research hospitals and a host of foodbanks. Deion Sanders, who also wrote in support of this pardon, calls Mr. Wayne ‘a provider for his family, a friend to many, a man of faith, a natural giver to the less fortunate, a waymaker, [and] a game changer.'”
While Lil Wayne received a full presidential pardon, Kodak Black – who is currently in a federal prison – received a commutation after being detained and pleading guilty to a firearms possession charge in March 2020.
Lil Wayne’s pardon from Trump isn’t a complete surprise, as the rapper was criticised for posing in a photo with Donald Trump ahead of last year’s U.S. presidential election.
“Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership,” Weezy wrote in the caption.
“He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done.”