pardon

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Tuesday issued a grazing permit and privilege to two eastern Oregon ranchers whose imprisonment sparked the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016.

Among the pardons made by President Trump this week, the pardon of four former guards for Blackwater was regarded by some as particularly galling. Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted six years ago of killing 14 Iraqi civilians and wounding 17 others. Witnesses described how the American men ambushed the civilians unprovoked, firing on Baghdad's Nisour Square with heavy gunfire and grenade launchers.

Among the high-profile pardons are former Rep. Duncan Hunter, who pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds, and George Papadopoulos, a former campaign adviser who was charged in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

A document filed in federal court seems to show a probe into lobbying for a pardon and a related scheme to offer payment. Large swaths of the document, including names, are blacked out.

President Trump has pardoned his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador. It was announced on Twitter.

The director of the museum, Deborah L. Hughes, suggests that the best way to honor Anthony would be to take a clear stance against voter suppression and to advocate for human rights for all.

The president has used his clemency power to spare Stone a prison sentence following his conviction in federal court. It's the latest official intercession in a case involving a Trump friend.

Some former and current Pentagon officials had warned that clearing the men might undermine the military justice system.

Governor Jay Inslee will pardon people under his new Marijuana Justice Initiative. People convicted of minor marijuana possession in Washington can now have their record cleared.