The U.S. Independence Day Pardon Targets Three Groups, Potentially Becoming a New Tool for Trump to Win Over Public Opinion

BlockBeats News, July 3rd, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of American independence, discussions are underway within the White House regarding a proposal for a "250th Anniversary Presidential Pardon for 250 People." It is reported that "President Trump is the ultimate decision-maker for all pardons." This news has sparked community discussions: if the pardon proposal is approved, who should be pardoned?

Some analysts have pointed out that the 250th Anniversary Pardon list should emphasize symbolism and the public interest dimension, highlighting the image of a "merciful America" or correcting cases seen as "weaponized justice." In the actual decision-making process, lobbying, political loyalty, the public attention on high-profile cases, as well as potential economic, diplomatic benefits, and potential benefits for the president will all be important considerations. Therefore, white-collar/financial criminals; rehabilitated, non-violent offenders; and high-profile/symbolic cases or "political/policy-related" offenders are the three groups most likely to be pardon targets.

Based on public reports, applications, prediction markets, or historically contentious federal case figures, BlockBeats has compiled the following list:

White-Collar/Financial Criminals:

It is without a doubt that Ryan Salame, former executive at FTX in the crypto space, and SBF, the founder of FTX, are worthy of serious consideration by Trump. Since Trump's second-term election, he has consistently played a role as a supporter of crypto. Given that significant support from the crypto community is still needed for the midterm elections, Ryan Salame and SBF are undoubtedly popular candidates on the pardon list.

Furthermore, media reports have indicated that Jho Low, a key figure in the multi-billion-dollar embezzlement case involving 1MDB, reached an asset recovery agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and has therefore been included in the pardon list. Additionally, rapper Pras Michel, convicted for lobbying related to the 1MDB scandal, is also under consideration.

Moreover, community discussions have also surrounded female entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes, who founded the blood testing company Theranos and was involved in the largest tech fraud case in history.

Rehabilitated, Non-Violent Offenders:

Nicole Daedone was previously convicted by a federal court for conspiracy to commit forced labor due to her founding of OneTaste and was sentenced to 9 years in prison. OneTaste promoted wellness projects such as "Orgasmic Meditation" and was accused of coercing employees (including women) to participate in sexual labor and "intimacy practices" under the guise of "volunteer work," creating a systemic environment of forced labor. Nicole Daedone's release is highly debated in prediction markets. The reason is that her background in the wellness industry may be interpreted as a "controversial business model" rather than an extreme crime, making it easier to fit the "rehabilitated" narrative.

Political Prisoners:

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was charged with violating the Espionage Act for releasing a large number of classified US documents, including the Iraq/Afghan War Logs and diplomatic cables. In 2024, he reached a plea deal with the US Department of Justice (on a lesser charge) and was released to return to Australia.

Edward Snowden, who revealed a massive surveillance program in 2013, faced charges including espionage and fled to Russia for asylum. Both individuals are iconic figures in the "Whistleblower vs. National Security" historical debate, often cited in discussions on transparency and freedom of speech. Pardoning these two may help Trump gain more support from liberal-leaning voters.