Mayor of nine Chicago boroughs sent a letter President Joe Biden on Friday asked former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., the namesake of the legendary civil rights leader, to be pardoned at last month’s Democratic National Convention.
In 2013, Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty to conspiracy with his then-wife Sandi Jackson. Illegally used $750,000 of campaign funds for personal purposes. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and he served about half of that time behind bars before being released halfway through his sentence in March 2015.
“We worked with him on a regular basis. His care and concern for the needs of his constituents has always been there,” the South Chicago suburb mayor wrote. “Just like you, we make decisions that affect people’s daily lives. Often, we should think about ‘never judge a man by his worst day.'” We believe Congressman Jackson has better days ahead of him.
The push for the pardon comes a day after Biden’s son Hunter. admitted his guilt to federal tax payments. Earlier this year, the young Biden was convicted of three counts of illegal possession of a handgun. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday that the president is sticking to his promise not to pardon his son.
The White House declined to comment on the mayors’ request that Biden pardon Jackson Jr.
This is not the first time elected officials have appealed to Biden on behalf of Jackson Jr. Several members of Congress, including Jackson Jr.’s successor, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill. — have in recent years encouraged the president to use his pardon power to help a former lawmaker. So is Jackson Jr.’s father.
82-year-old Reverend Jesse Jackson, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, took the stage in a wheelchair at the Democratic Party convention on August 19. Surrounded by civil rights leaders, he received a standing ovation.
Biden published pardons Acts affecting thousands of people convicted of drug-related charges in 2022 and 2023 for some marijuana crimes. Furthermore, he is cautious about using the constitutional power to grant pardons.
The Lists of the Ministry of Justice 25 people pardoned by Biden since taking office in January 2021. Donald Trump has pardoned more than 140 people, including former members of Congress, political allies and his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner. Presidents often issue pardons in their final days in office, and Trump’s most were granted between his defeat in November 2020 and his departure from the White House just over two months later.