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USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
President Trump pardons rapper NBA YoungBoy in flurry of clemency actions
President Trump pardons rapper NBA YoungBoy in flurry of clemency actions Show Caption Hide Caption Trump pardons reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley President Trump called Savannah Chrisley from the Oval Office in the White House to tell her he wanted to pardon her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump pardoned rapper NBA YoungBoy as part of a spree of reprieves this week, including one for a couple known on reality television and a commuted federal sentence for a former Chicago gang leader convicted of murder. A White House official confirmed the May 28 pardon of Louisiana-based NBA YoungBoy, 25, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden. He was serving a 23-month sentence for federal gun charges as part of a plea deal reached with federal prosecutors in December. The previous month, Gaulden pleaded guilty to his involvement in a Utah pharmacy drug ring, but he avoided incarceration and paid a $25,000 fine. "I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and for giving me the opportunity to keep building ‒ as a man, as a father, and as an artist," Gaulden, whose rap name stands for "Never Broke Again," wrote on his Instagram account. "This moment means a lot." He added that the pardon "opens the door to a future I've worked hard for and I'm fully prepared to step into this." More: Trump's latest wave of pardons includes rapper, GOP governor convicted of corruption The pardon means Gaulden will no longer have travel restrictions, allowing him to embark on a 32-date national tour set to kick off in September that he's dubbed the "MASA tour" ‒ "Make America Slime Again." It's a riff on Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan. Slime refers to a close friend or homie in hip-hop lingo. Trump has issued a slew of pardons that coincided with the first full week of Ed Martin serving as the Justice Department's pardon attorney. Trump had previously nominated Martin to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, but he withdrew in the face of Republican opposition on Capitol Hill over Martin's support for Jan. 6 rioters. Pardons fully wipe out a recipient's guilt of a criminal act and any penalties tied to a conviction. Typically, a wave of pardons comes at the end of a president's term. But Trump has smashed all norms, beginning with his day one pardons of more than 1,600 individuals charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump on May 27 pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley of the USA Network television show "Chrisley Knows Best" fame, in which they portrayed themselves as real estate tycoons in the South. The couple was found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks in Atlanta out of more than $36 million in fraudulent loans. More: Trump pardons former Army officer convicted in court martial of disobeying COVID rules The next day, Trump commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, 74, a notorious former Chicago gang leader who co-founded the Gangster Disciples and was convicted in 1973 for the murder of a drug dealer. Hoover, who was serving six life terms for his federal charges, still must serve a 200-year sentence for his Illinois state charges. Trump also pardoned former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who resigned from his office after pleading guilty in late 2004 to one count of conspiring to commit tax fraud and depriving the public of honest service over $107,000 in gifts he accepted from companies doing business with the state. Rowland, a former New York congressman, was later convicted of obstructing justice, conspiracy, falsifying government documents, and other violations of campaign finance laws. He was sentenced to nearly three years in prison. More: Donald Trump pardons former Republican Rep. Michael Grimm for tax fraud conviction Trump pardoned former New York Rep. Michael Grimm, a Republican congressman from 2011 to 2015, who resigned after being convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to eight months in prison. And as first reported by USA TODAY, Trump also pardoned former 1st Lt. Mark Bashaw, a former U.S. Army officer who was found guilty by a special court martial during the Biden administration for refusing to follow COVID-19 safety measures. The White House has not provided a full list of Trump's pardons, deferring to the Department of Justice, which updates clemency actions on its website. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman and Zac Anderson Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Trump pardons ex-Connecticut Governor Rowland and commutes Chicago gang leader Hoover's sentence
President Donald Trump has pardoned Connecticut's former Republican Gov. John Rowland, who was convicted in two federal criminal cases, including one that contributed to his resignation Trump also commuted the prison sentence for notorious Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, a White House spokesman told Fox News Digital. Rowland was released early from federal custody in 2018 after his 2014 conviction for election fraud and obstruction of justice. That was his second stint in prison after his 2004 federal corruption conviction. In July 2004, Rowland resigned less than halfway through his third term as governor instead of testifying before a special House Committee inquiry. He pleaded guilty that year to his role in a pay-to-play scheme that included $90,000 in luxury flights on Key Air, an Oxford, Connecticut-based airline, to Las Vegas and Florida. Trump Announces Pardon For Todd And Julie Chrisley After Reality Tv Stars' Fraud, Tax Evasion Convictions He served 10 months in federal prison and several months of house arrest in that case. Read On The Fox News App Trump also commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover. Hoover, the co-founder of the Chicago gang Gangster Disciples, has been serving a life sentence at a supermax prison in Colorado. Trump Pardons Former Virginia Sheriff Convicted Of Taking $75K In Bribes He was originally imprisoned for a 1973 murder and later convicted in 1998 for operating a criminal enterprise. At the time of his 1998 conviction, Hoover was serving a 200-year sentence for the killing of drug dealer William "Pooky" Young. He later renounced his criminal activities and sought a reduced sentence. It was unclear when Hoover would be released from prison. During a 2018 meeting with Trump, Kanye "Ye" West campaigned for Hoover's freedom. "So, it's very important for me to get Hoover out, because in an alternate universe, I am him," West said, according to a White House transcript of the meeting. "And I have to go and get him free because he was doing positive inside of Chicago, just like how I'm moving back to Chicago, and it's not just about, you know, getting on stage and being an entertainer and having a monolithic voice that's forced to be a specific party." Trump also pardoned rapper Kentrell Gaulden, the Louisiana-based artist known as NBA YoungBoy who was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon and released from prison earlier this year. Also pardoned were former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y.; Kevin Eric Baisden; Mark C. Bashaw; former reality television personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley; and Tanner Mansell and John Moore, who were both convicted of stealing fish gear in federal waters. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump pardons ex-Connecticut Governor Rowland and commutes Chicago gang leader Hoover's sentence
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Trump's LNG diplomacy and how Asia got caught between gas and tariffs
[SINGAPORE] Energy security, thrust into the spotlight in 2022 by the Russia-Ukraine war, is once again facing a geopolitical stress test. This time, the pressure is coming from the US – and it comes with a pipeline. In a bid to revive his push for energy dominance, US President Donald Trump is touting US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a bargaining chip in trade talks. With the Jul 9 tariff deadline looming, some of Asia's biggest energy buyers are scrambling, as tariff relief appears increasingly tied – among other demands – to buying American gas amid mounting economic pain. According to shipping data provider Kpler in a Reuters report, US LNG shipments to Asia hit 1.86 million tonnes in May – the highest since December – and are poised to climb further. But with multiple countries now vying to secure volumes, supply could tighten, raising a geopolitical question of who's willing to pay a premium to stay in Washington's good books. The idea of using LNG as a diplomatic lever isn't new. It began taking shape during Trump's first term. Backed by the White House, a US$44 billion Alaska LNG project was pitched as a strategic energy bridge to Asia. But the venture stalled as oil majors, concerned over steep costs and uncertain economics, backed away. On day one of his return to the White House, Trump reversed former president Joe Biden's pause on new LNG export approvals, effectively reopening the door for stalled projects – chief among them the long-delayed Alaska LNG venture. But despite this, the project continues to struggle to lock in firm financial backing. As the Jul 9 deadline approaches, Japan, which counts Australia as its top LNG supplier, followed by Malaysia and Russia, is putting new cards on the table. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has signalled Tokyo may offer financial backing for the Alaska project as part of its broader bid to avoid sweeping tariffs. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Stung by sweeping US steel tariffs, South Korea has quietly shifted course, eyeing increased LNG imports as a way to stay on Washington's good side and push for tariff relief. Taiwan plans to have US LNG cover nearly three-quarters of its total gas needs by 2028. Even India is getting in on the act, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump that could see more American gas folded into its long-term supply mix. Interestingly, Malaysia's national oil giant Petronas recently said it was exploring long-term deals with North American sellers, including Louisiana-based Commonwealth LNG, as part of a strategy to deepen its footprint in high-growth markets such as China – the world's largest LNG buyer – and Vietnam. Whether political considerations are at play is unclear, and the move appears to be commercially driven. All this points to a familiar playbook: the US is leveraging trade deficits to extract sector-specific concessions. Short-term LNG deals may well get signed, but the trust that underpins global energy flow – built over decades on neutrality – and market logic could be beginning to fray. In a bid to secure stable supply, Singapore recently formed a new centralised gas procurement unit, Singapore GasCo. While chiefly focused on ensuring reliability, the move could also help cushion the city-state's gas-reliant power sector – which runs entirely on imported natural gas – from the risks of increasingly politicised commodity flows. Some Asian nations are mulling diversifying their supply and could turn to Canada's Pacific-facing terminals or Qatar's ultra-low-cost LNG, not just for competitive pricing, but for the relative political calm they offer. For many in Asia, the real shift may not be about gas at all, but about the growing need to insulate critical supply chains from becoming bargaining chips in the next trade standoff.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Space to Succeed' scholarship opportunity for Louisiana students
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Community-minded students have the opportunity to earn scholarship money through a Louisiana-based company's education initiative. Students must apply for the Space to Succeed Scholarship by May 31. The annual award supports 'altruistic students as they pursue their career dreams through education.' The Space to Succeed Scholarship is open to students across the state who plan to attend any college or university in Louisiana. BTW student secures funding for healthy food initiative in Shreveport 'We created The Space to Succeed Scholarship because we want to nurture the leaders of tomorrow who volunteer, uplift their peers and neighbors and look for ways to give back. That could be anything from tutoring their classmates to volunteering for a local non-profit or mowing a neighbor's yard when they need help,' said Robert Piper, Principal of The Storage Center. 'As a Louisiana-based business, we are committed to making our community a better place, and The Space to Succeed Scholarship allows us to recognize students who show dedication, initiative and a vision for the future.' Applicants should submit a 500- to 800-word essay that highlights their commitment to community service and explains how their education will enable them to continue and expand their impact. Essays should provide specific examples of how the applicant has contributed to their community and reflect on how their efforts can positively influence others. Photos should accompany each entry and will be used when winners are announced online and on social media. Don't miss your opportunity to earn one of three $5,000 scholarships. Visit to apply. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Mississippi man is out nearly $100,000 after purchasing solar panels — only to find that they don't work
Mississippi business owner Jim Dutton is feeling burned by Tren Solar, a Louisiana-based company that installed solar panels on his property, and Mosaic Solar, an affiliated company that loaned him $99,000 for the job. Now Dutton has 47 non-functional solar panels installed on top of his auto body shop, located on the same property as his home in Carriere, Mississippi. That's because there are 'multiple potential safety hazards' with the panels and wiring, according to David Blackledge of MIssissippi's Cooperative Energy electrical company, who inspected his property. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) That hasn't stopped Mosaic Solar from continuing to send Dutton the bills for the $99,000 loan. Now Dutton is sharing his story with Fox 8, warning others about his experience with the two companies. Dutton first learned of Tren Solar when they called him 'out of the blue.' He was interested in the potential savings of producing solar energy on his own property and powering both his home and his auto body shop, where he restores vintage cars. He did some online research that led him to believe that Tren Solar was trustworthy. 'It looked like a legit business. And one of their partners, I guess they call it on the website — Panasonic — and they rated them in 2023 the best installer in the region,' Dutton recalled. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs He moved forward with the job and signed a loan with Mosaic. 'They installed the panels within three days,' Dutton said. 'I was like, 'Wow, this is cool. They weren't kidding, four to eight weeks.' Then, it was radio silence.' After three months of Dutton's constant calls to Tren Solar, an electrician finally showed up to wire the system to supply power to the auto body shop and home — without an approved plan from Cooperative Energy to do so. 'These two jobs should not have been installed by Tren Solar, because they didn't make it past the initial utility review stage,' the utility company's Blackledge told Fox 8. 'The installation method used has created multiple potential safety hazards.' Blackledge added that Tren Solar waited till after the panels were installed to reach out to Cooperative Energy for permission to do the installation. When Blackledge reached out to Tren Solar to follow up, he was never able to reach anyone. Fox 8 visited the Tren Solar business address, but were told Tren Solar had closed its office months before. The company's co-founders did not return emails or calls. Fox 8 has since discovered multiple complaints about Tren Solar and Mosaic lodged with the Better Business Bureau. 'All of the complaints have been (regarding) the lack of customer service communication that's been happening,' said Michael Drummond, president of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Greater New Orleans. 'We've reached out many times through our processes. We've been unable to get them to respond.' Now, Attorneys General in multiple states are suing Mosaic for deceptive trade practices. 'A government action or a government warning is definitely a red flag,' Drummond said. If you're considering a major installation on your property, like solar panels: Research regulations to familiarize yourself with building, fire and electrical codes and other rules designed to protect you and your home. That includes making sure you are lined up for inspections throughout the process. Don't hire the first contractor you find — especially if they reach out to you through a cold call or similar type of outreach marketing. Shop around. Do your due diligence on the principal contractor you choose and their affiliates. Check with the Better Business Bureau, study online reviews and testimonials and don't be afraid to ask for testimonials from your neighbors. If your contractor is legitimate, they'll be happy to provide contacts. If you have concerns about the installation, make sure you record all communications with the company, including times of calls, any emails or texts you received, and all bills or invoices. If you believe you've been the victim of deceptive business practices, report the business to the Better Business Bureau or your State Attorney General's Office. You can also file an online complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or reach out to a local Consumer Protection Office. If you're attempting to recover money you spent on such an installation, you can try to send a notice of dispute to your credit card company to stop payment to the company. You can also try to get your insurance company working on your behalf. Some insurance policies can help cover losses or damage from faulty installations. Check with your provider for more information. Finally, you can take the company to small claims court or — if you're dealing with a significant sum — hire a lawyer. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
