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| Donald Trump backs Brexit and says UK 'better off without' EU – campaign live | Donald Trump backs Brexit and says UK 'better off without' EU – campaign live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.23am BST | |
| 03:23 | |
| Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson: I'm supporting Donald Trump | |
| Telling the New York Times that Donald Trump won the Republican nomination “fair and square,” billionaire casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson said that he is supporting Donald Trump’s bid to win the White House in November. | |
| “Yes, I’m a Republican, he’s a Republican,” Adelson told the Times. “He’s our nominee. Whoever the nominee would turn out to be, any one of the 17 - he was one of the 17. He won fair and square.” | |
| Adelson’s newly acquired Las Vegas newspaper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, had endorsed Florida senator Marco Rubio’s bid for the Republican nomination. | |
| 3.06am BST | |
| 03:06 | |
| Ben Jacobs | |
| Two days after he became the presumptive Republican nominee, Trump was in high spirits as he wore a hard hat on stage and mimed the work of a coal miner, reports the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs: | |
| Becoming the presumptive Republican nominee has not changed Donald Trumpat all. | |
| In a rally in Charleston, West Virginia in front of roughly 13,000 screaming attendees, the newly minted Republican nominee took a victory lap. Trump proclaimed “I wish the primaries would keep going but I am the only one left” and celebrated by repeatedly urging his supporters to not even bother voting in West Virginia’s upcoming primary and instead “save your vote for the general election in November”. | |
| Two days after Ted Cruz suspended his campaign, effectively ending the Republican primary, Trump was in high spirits as he briefly wore a hard hat on stage and mimed the work of a coal miner. In a state where coal mining is still an important industry, Trump repeatedly emphasized his commitment to the industry. | |
| He told the crowd, “I’ll tell you a little secret. I’ve always been fascinated by the mines,” speaking in front of a backdrop of uniformed coal miners holding signs that read “Trump digs coal”. | |
| In lieu of his typical attacks on primary opponents – calling Cruz “lyin’ Ted” and criticizing the way John Kasich eats food – Trump pivoted his vitriol toward Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee. He made veiled reference to former president Bill Clinton’s liaison with Monica Lewinsky in the White House and said of the Clinton Foundation, “the whole thing is a scam”. | |
| Trump made no mention of the criticism that he is receiving from inside his own party. | |
| Related: Confident Donald Trump tells his West Virginia supporters: don't bother voting | |
| 2.39am BST | 2.39am BST |
| 02:39 | 02:39 |
| A little more than 24 hours after becoming the last man standing in the quest for the Republican presidential nomination, billionaire Donald Trump came within a whisker of doing what he recently pledged he would only do if provoked: bring up Hillary Clinton’s marriage. | A little more than 24 hours after becoming the last man standing in the quest for the Republican presidential nomination, billionaire Donald Trump came within a whisker of doing what he recently pledged he would only do if provoked: bring up Hillary Clinton’s marriage. |
| At a rally in Charleston, West Virginia, Trump was riffing on Clinton’s role in her husband’s administration when he made a not-so-oblique reference: | At a rally in Charleston, West Virginia, Trump was riffing on Clinton’s role in her husband’s administration when he made a not-so-oblique reference: |
| “Let me tell you something - the Clinton administration, of which Hillary Clinton was definitely a part, she was part of almost everything. Almost, I say, not everything.” | “Let me tell you something - the Clinton administration, of which Hillary Clinton was definitely a part, she was part of almost everything. Almost, I say, not everything.” |
| The audience laughed and applauded at the non-reference, to which Trump responded with mock chagrin. | The audience laughed and applauded at the non-reference, to which Trump responded with mock chagrin. |
| “I didn’t think the people of West Virginia thought like that. That’s terrible. You should be ashamed of yourselves!” he said, pretending to scold them. “Terrible, terrible people. | “I didn’t think the people of West Virginia thought like that. That’s terrible. You should be ashamed of yourselves!” he said, pretending to scold them. “Terrible, terrible people. |
| 2.01am BST | 2.01am BST |
| 02:01 | 02:01 |
| In a new fundraising email with the subject line “I’m so sorry,” Hillary Clinton’s campaign is reaching out to members of racial, ethnic and religious minorities who have been alienated by aggressive rhetoric and policy proposals by presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. | In a new fundraising email with the subject line “I’m so sorry,” Hillary Clinton’s campaign is reaching out to members of racial, ethnic and religious minorities who have been alienated by aggressive rhetoric and policy proposals by presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. |
| “If you or anyone you know is Muslim-American, Mexican-American, a woman, an immigrant, or anyone else Trump has attacked, then I have one thing to say to you,” writes deputy communications director Kristina Schake. | “If you or anyone you know is Muslim-American, Mexican-American, a woman, an immigrant, or anyone else Trump has attacked, then I have one thing to say to you,” writes deputy communications director Kristina Schake. |
| “First: I’m so sorry for what you’ve had to listen to on the news and read in the papers every single day.” | “First: I’m so sorry for what you’ve had to listen to on the news and read in the papers every single day.” |
| “And second: We’re going to fight back, and we’re going to make sure that none of his horrible ideas ever become law - that’s a promise,” Schake continues. “But Hillary is counting on you to be a critical part of that fight, and that starts today with our brand new Stop Trump Fund.” | “And second: We’re going to fight back, and we’re going to make sure that none of his horrible ideas ever become law - that’s a promise,” Schake continues. “But Hillary is counting on you to be a critical part of that fight, and that starts today with our brand new Stop Trump Fund.” |
| 1.16am BST | 1.16am BST |
| 01:16 | 01:16 |
| Donald Trump on the military: | Donald Trump on the military: |
| In many cases, illegal immigrants are being taken care of better than our vets. | In many cases, illegal immigrants are being taken care of better than our vets. |
| 1.09am BST | 1.09am BST |
| 01:09 | 01:09 |
| Illinois governor Bruce Rauner won’t attend the Republican National Convention or endorse Donald Trump for president, according to the Chicago Tribute, joining the ranks of numerous other prominent Republican politicians who have foregone endorsing the party’s presumptive presidential nominee. | Illinois governor Bruce Rauner won’t attend the Republican National Convention or endorse Donald Trump for president, according to the Chicago Tribute, joining the ranks of numerous other prominent Republican politicians who have foregone endorsing the party’s presumptive presidential nominee. |
| Raunder joins Illinois senator Mark Kirk, who faces a tight bid for reelection against Democratic opponent, representative Tammy Duckworth. | Raunder joins Illinois senator Mark Kirk, who faces a tight bid for reelection against Democratic opponent, representative Tammy Duckworth. |
| 12.56am BST | 12.56am BST |
| 00:56 | 00:56 |
| Another #NeverTrump: | Another #NeverTrump: |
| Ex-Gov. Christine Todd Whitman says she will write in @JohnKasich for president. #hardball | Ex-Gov. Christine Todd Whitman says she will write in @JohnKasich for president. #hardball |
| 12.54am BST | 12.54am BST |
| 00:54 | 00:54 |
| Donald Trump tells an audience in Charleston, West Virginia, that the removal of chlorofluorocarbons from aerosol cans used to dispel hairspray is “like a lot of rules and regulations you have in the mines” - that is, unimportant. | Donald Trump tells an audience in Charleston, West Virginia, that the removal of chlorofluorocarbons from aerosol cans used to dispel hairspray is “like a lot of rules and regulations you have in the mines” - that is, unimportant. |
| “You’re not allowed to use hairspray anymore, because it affects the ozone – you know that, right?” Trump said. The riff was prompted after he checked his iconic hair after donning a mining helmet at the lectern. | “You’re not allowed to use hairspray anymore, because it affects the ozone – you know that, right?” Trump said. The riff was prompted after he checked his iconic hair after donning a mining helmet at the lectern. |
| “In the old days, you put he hairspray on, it’s good; now, you put it on, it lasts, like, twelve minutes,” Trump said. “You’re telling me that affects the ozone layer? I say no way, folks - no way! No way! That’s like a lot of rules and regulations you have in the mines.” | “In the old days, you put he hairspray on, it’s good; now, you put it on, it lasts, like, twelve minutes,” Trump said. “You’re telling me that affects the ozone layer? I say no way, folks - no way! No way! That’s like a lot of rules and regulations you have in the mines.” |
| 12.48am BST | 12.48am BST |
| 00:48 | 00:48 |
| “You know why it’s #NeverTrump?” Trump asks the audience. | “You know why it’s #NeverTrump?” Trump asks the audience. |
| Because I’m gonna stop the gravy train for all of these consultants who are ripping off our country. | Because I’m gonna stop the gravy train for all of these consultants who are ripping off our country. |
| 12.42am BST | 12.42am BST |
| 00:42 | 00:42 |
| Former Texas governor Rick Perry, who once called Donald Trump’s candidacy “a cancer on conservatism,” told CNN this evening that he is endorsing Trump’s candidacy as the presumptive Republican nominee and is “open to any way I can help” get him elected - leaving the door open to be a potential running mate. | Former Texas governor Rick Perry, who once called Donald Trump’s candidacy “a cancer on conservatism,” told CNN this evening that he is endorsing Trump’s candidacy as the presumptive Republican nominee and is “open to any way I can help” get him elected - leaving the door open to be a potential running mate. |
| “He is not a perfect man,” Perry added. “But what I do believe is that he loves this country and he will surround himself with capable, experienced people and he will listen to them.” | “He is not a perfect man,” Perry added. “But what I do believe is that he loves this country and he will surround himself with capable, experienced people and he will listen to them.” |
| Perry might have wanted to let his webmasters know - the entire speech in which he said Trump “foments agitation, thrives on division, scapegoats certain elements of society, and offers empty platitudes and promises” is still online. | Perry might have wanted to let his webmasters know - the entire speech in which he said Trump “foments agitation, thrives on division, scapegoats certain elements of society, and offers empty platitudes and promises” is still online. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.46am BST | at 12.46am BST |
| 12.39am BST | 12.39am BST |
| 00:39 | 00:39 |
| Donald Trump rails against Hillary Clinton’s comments on coal miners in March, in which she said “We’re going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business,” calling the comment “a tough one to explain, wouldn’t you say?” | Donald Trump rails against Hillary Clinton’s comments on coal miners in March, in which she said “We’re going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business,” calling the comment “a tough one to explain, wouldn’t you say?” |
| “I’ll tell you what folks - you’re amazing people, and we’re gonna take care of a lot of years of horrible abuse,” Trump said to miners in the audience. “And you can count on it, 100%.” | “I’ll tell you what folks - you’re amazing people, and we’re gonna take care of a lot of years of horrible abuse,” Trump said to miners in the audience. “And you can count on it, 100%.” |
| “The miners don’t wanna leave!” he said, of miners looking for work following the closure of coal mines. “We’re gonna open the mines, we’re gonna open the mines.” | “The miners don’t wanna leave!” he said, of miners looking for work following the closure of coal mines. “We’re gonna open the mines, we’re gonna open the mines.” |
| “I see over here: ‘Trump Digs Coal,’” Trump says, reading from campaign signs that his campaign had printed out. “That’s true.” | “I see over here: ‘Trump Digs Coal,’” Trump says, reading from campaign signs that his campaign had printed out. “That’s true.” |
| “We’re gonna bring back all those miners, you’re gonna be so proud of your president, you’re gonna be so proud of your country.” | “We’re gonna bring back all those miners, you’re gonna be so proud of your president, you’re gonna be so proud of your country.” |
| 12.33am BST | 12.33am BST |
| 00:33 | 00:33 |
| Donald Trump holds first rally as presumptive Republican nominee | Donald Trump holds first rally as presumptive Republican nominee |
| Speaking in Charleston, West Virginia, Donald Trump has begun his first campaign rally as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. | Speaking in Charleston, West Virginia, Donald Trump has begun his first campaign rally as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. |
| To the strains of John Denver’s Country Roads, Take Me Home - “West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home, country roads” - Trump told the crowd that he almost missed his opponents for the Republican nomination. | To the strains of John Denver’s Country Roads, Take Me Home - “West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home, country roads” - Trump told the crowd that he almost missed his opponents for the Republican nomination. |
| “I want the primaries to keep going - but everybody’s out - I’m the only one left,” Trump said. “That’s okay, right?” | “I want the primaries to keep going - but everybody’s out - I’m the only one left,” Trump said. “That’s okay, right?” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.41am BST | at 12.41am BST |
| 12.25am BST | 12.25am BST |
| 00:25 | 00:25 |
| David Smith | David Smith |
| More than eight in 10 Republicans who support Donald Trump regard refugees from Iraq and Syria as a major threat to the US, according to a survey that lays bare the deep political polarisation in America. | More than eight in 10 Republicans who support Donald Trump regard refugees from Iraq and Syria as a major threat to the US, according to a survey that lays bare the deep political polarisation in America. |
| Trump’s creed of “America first” set out in a recent foreign policy speech in Washington appears to be resonating with Republicans who believe the US should put its own interests ahead of playing the role of global policeman. | Trump’s creed of “America first” set out in a recent foreign policy speech in Washington appears to be resonating with Republicans who believe the US should put its own interests ahead of playing the role of global policeman. |
| “America’s Place in the World” is a survey of foreign policy attitudes conducted periodically by the Pew Research Center. The latest poll was carried out among 2,008 US adults from 12 to 19 April, before Ted Cruz and John Kasich pulled out of the race for the Republican nomination. | “America’s Place in the World” is a survey of foreign policy attitudes conducted periodically by the Pew Research Center. The latest poll was carried out among 2,008 US adults from 12 to 19 April, before Ted Cruz and John Kasich pulled out of the race for the Republican nomination. |
| For those who back the New York billionaire in the primary campaign, the large number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Iraq and Syria is especially worrisome, according to Pew. Some 85% of Republican voters who support Trump say the refugees are a major threat to the US, compared with 74% of those who prefer Cruz and 59% who prefer Kasich. Trump has promised a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country. | For those who back the New York billionaire in the primary campaign, the large number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Iraq and Syria is especially worrisome, according to Pew. Some 85% of Republican voters who support Trump say the refugees are a major threat to the US, compared with 74% of those who prefer Cruz and 59% who prefer Kasich. Trump has promised a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country. |
| Among Democratic voters, by contrast, just 40% of Clinton supporters and 34% of Bernie Sanders backers view the refugee migration as a major threat. For Trump supporters, only the threat from Islamic State (93%) ranks higher than refugees, among the eight issues included. | Among Democratic voters, by contrast, just 40% of Clinton supporters and 34% of Bernie Sanders backers view the refugee migration as a major threat. For Trump supporters, only the threat from Islamic State (93%) ranks higher than refugees, among the eight issues included. |
| Related: More than 80% of Trump supporters see refugees as threat to US, survey shows | Related: More than 80% of Trump supporters see refugees as threat to US, survey shows |
| 12.09am BST | 12.09am BST |
| 00:09 | 00:09 |
| Mona Chalabi | Mona Chalabi |
| Trump may claim “I love Hispanics!” but 81% of Hispanics have an unfavorable opinion of Trump according, to a Washington Post-ABC News poll of 1,010 adults conducted last month. | Trump may claim “I love Hispanics!” but 81% of Hispanics have an unfavorable opinion of Trump according, to a Washington Post-ABC News poll of 1,010 adults conducted last month. |
| A separate poll conducted last month by America’s Voice/Latino Decisions National Survey put the number a little higher - 87% said they had an unfavorable opinion of the New York billionaire (among Republican Latinos, that number slid a little lower to 73% unfavorable). | A separate poll conducted last month by America’s Voice/Latino Decisions National Survey put the number a little higher - 87% said they had an unfavorable opinion of the New York billionaire (among Republican Latinos, that number slid a little lower to 73% unfavorable). |
| 11.58pm BST | 11.58pm BST |
| 23:58 | 23:58 |
| Donald Trump: UK is 'better off without' the European Union | Donald Trump: UK is 'better off without' the European Union |
| Scott Bixby | Scott Bixby |
| The presumptive Republican presidential nominee told Fox News this evening that he thinks that the UK would be better off not being associated with the European Union. | The presumptive Republican presidential nominee told Fox News this evening that he thinks that the UK would be better off not being associated with the European Union. |
| “I think the migration has been a horrible thing for Europe,” Trump told Bret Baier. “A lot of that was pushed by the EU. I would say that they’re better off without it, personally, but I’m not making that as a recommendation. Just my feeling.” | “I think the migration has been a horrible thing for Europe,” Trump told Bret Baier. “A lot of that was pushed by the EU. I would say that they’re better off without it, personally, but I’m not making that as a recommendation. Just my feeling.” |
| “I know Great Britain very well,” Trump continued. “I know, you know, the country very well. I have a lot of investments there. I would say that they’re better off without it. But I want them to make their own decision.” | “I know Great Britain very well,” Trump continued. “I know, you know, the country very well. I have a lot of investments there. I would say that they’re better off without it. But I want them to make their own decision.” |
| Trump has expressed skepticism of the UK’s membership in the EU before. In March, he said he understood support for the so-called “Brexit” because the UK’s allies were “doing nothing”. | Trump has expressed skepticism of the UK’s membership in the EU before. In March, he said he understood support for the so-called “Brexit” because the UK’s allies were “doing nothing”. |
| “I think they [Britain] may leave the EU, yes, they’re having a lot of problems,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “I don’t want to make a comment about the UK leaving but I think they may leave based on – I’m there a lot, I have a lot of investments in the UK and I will tell you that I think they may leave based on everything I’m hearing.” | “I think they [Britain] may leave the EU, yes, they’re having a lot of problems,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “I don’t want to make a comment about the UK leaving but I think they may leave based on – I’m there a lot, I have a lot of investments in the UK and I will tell you that I think they may leave based on everything I’m hearing.” |
| Just yesterday, Trump criticized Barack Obama for coming out against the Brexit, telling the Daily Mail: “I didn’t think it was a good thing for him to do it. | Just yesterday, Trump criticized Barack Obama for coming out against the Brexit, telling the Daily Mail: “I didn’t think it was a good thing for him to do it. |
| “I would say that I’m not going to give Britain any advice, but I know there are a lot of people that are very, very much against being in the EU.” | “I would say that I’m not going to give Britain any advice, but I know there are a lot of people that are very, very much against being in the EU.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.15am BST | at 12.15am BST |
| 11.42pm BST | 11.42pm BST |
| 23:42 | 23:42 |
| Sens. John McCain, Dan Sullivan, Tom Cotton say they'll 'support the nominee' | Sens. John McCain, Dan Sullivan, Tom Cotton say they'll 'support the nominee' |
| There ain’t no party like the Republican party, because the Republican party is mandatory. | There ain’t no party like the Republican party, because the Republican party is mandatory. |
| Arizona senator John McCain, Alaska senator Dan Sullivan and Arkansas senator Tom Cotton have all gone on the record to say that, despite vast differences in policy and ideology, they will “support the nominee” of the Republican party. | Arizona senator John McCain, Alaska senator Dan Sullivan and Arkansas senator Tom Cotton have all gone on the record to say that, despite vast differences in policy and ideology, they will “support the nominee” of the Republican party. |
| “Well, first of all, I’ve always said I would support the nominee of the party, the party of Ronald Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt,” McCain said to local radio KTAR, first reported by Buzzfeed News. “I have strong disagreements with Mr. Trump on a number of issues. I believe four years of Hillary Clinton will be an absolute disaster for this nation, as far as national security is concerned.” | “Well, first of all, I’ve always said I would support the nominee of the party, the party of Ronald Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt,” McCain said to local radio KTAR, first reported by Buzzfeed News. “I have strong disagreements with Mr. Trump on a number of issues. I believe four years of Hillary Clinton will be an absolute disaster for this nation, as far as national security is concerned.” |
| “I’m not comfortable with a lot of the things that he has done,” McCain added. | “I’m not comfortable with a lot of the things that he has done,” McCain added. |
| “There’s all this focus on Trump and the White House as there should be but what a lot of us are focused on is making sure regardless of whether Hillary wins or Trump wins,” Sullivan reiterated. “One of the most important things we have to do is keep the US Senate in Republican hands.” | “There’s all this focus on Trump and the White House as there should be but what a lot of us are focused on is making sure regardless of whether Hillary wins or Trump wins,” Sullivan reiterated. “One of the most important things we have to do is keep the US Senate in Republican hands.” |
| “I’ve long said that I will support the Republican nominee because we can’t afford a third Obama-Clinton term,” said Cotton. | “I’ve long said that I will support the Republican nominee because we can’t afford a third Obama-Clinton term,” said Cotton. |
| “I’m supporting the nominee of the party,” said McCain, when asked again if he was supporting Trump. “The answer is I am supporting the nominee.” | “I’m supporting the nominee of the party,” said McCain, when asked again if he was supporting Trump. “The answer is I am supporting the nominee.” |
| 11.28pm BST | 11.28pm BST |
| 23:28 | 23:28 |
| Trevor Timm | Trevor Timm |
| There’s a lot of people right now (rightly) freaking out about the fact that Donald Trump, as the presumptive Republican nominee, will soon be entitled to receive classified briefings from US intelligence agencies about national security issues. It’s just one more terrifying sign that he is that much closer to the presidency. | There’s a lot of people right now (rightly) freaking out about the fact that Donald Trump, as the presumptive Republican nominee, will soon be entitled to receive classified briefings from US intelligence agencies about national security issues. It’s just one more terrifying sign that he is that much closer to the presidency. |
| As Buzzfeed is reporting, some Democrats are now making the argument Trump shouldn’t receive these briefings at all. Sen. Chris Murphy said today, Trump “has no moral or ethical grounding,” warning that “he wouldn’t think twice of taking classified information and putting it out in the public realm if he thought it served his political purposes.” | As Buzzfeed is reporting, some Democrats are now making the argument Trump shouldn’t receive these briefings at all. Sen. Chris Murphy said today, Trump “has no moral or ethical grounding,” warning that “he wouldn’t think twice of taking classified information and putting it out in the public realm if he thought it served his political purposes.” |
| But is this the argument Democrats really want to make right now? Currently, there is only one candidate in the race accused of mishandling classified information, and that’s Hillary Clinton. No matter your position on whether she is guilty or not, this doesn’t seem like something they would want to draw additional attention to. | But is this the argument Democrats really want to make right now? Currently, there is only one candidate in the race accused of mishandling classified information, and that’s Hillary Clinton. No matter your position on whether she is guilty or not, this doesn’t seem like something they would want to draw additional attention to. |
| On another more humorous/conspiratorial note: It’s well known that many people in the military and intelligence community are just as scared of a Trump presidency as much of the general public. So here’s an admittedly crazy hypothetical to think about: Intelligence agency officials purposefully feed Trump juicy information in the classified briefings, knowing that he’ll immediately tell the public, then refer him for prosecution. | On another more humorous/conspiratorial note: It’s well known that many people in the military and intelligence community are just as scared of a Trump presidency as much of the general public. So here’s an admittedly crazy hypothetical to think about: Intelligence agency officials purposefully feed Trump juicy information in the classified briefings, knowing that he’ll immediately tell the public, then refer him for prosecution. |
| You just know he wouldn’t be able to help himself. | You just know he wouldn’t be able to help himself. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.29pm BST | at 11.29pm BST |
| 11.14pm BST | 11.14pm BST |
| 23:14 | 23:14 |
| The Obama administration has commuted the prison sentences of 58 federal convicts, part of a broader push to revamp the criminal justice system and ease punishments for non-violent drug offenders. | The Obama administration has commuted the prison sentences of 58 federal convicts, part of a broader push to revamp the criminal justice system and ease punishments for non-violent drug offenders. |
| The people whose prison terms were cut short include 18 who were given life sentences. Most who received clemency are now due for release on 2 September, though others will be released over the next two years. | The people whose prison terms were cut short include 18 who were given life sentences. Most who received clemency are now due for release on 2 September, though others will be released over the next two years. |
| The latest wave – which includes defendants convicted of dealing cocaine, crack and methamphetamine – brings to 306 the total number of inmates whose sentences Obama has commuted, the vast majority for drug crimes. The pace of commutations – along with pardons, which are less common – is expected to increase as the end of Obama’s presidency nears. | The latest wave – which includes defendants convicted of dealing cocaine, crack and methamphetamine – brings to 306 the total number of inmates whose sentences Obama has commuted, the vast majority for drug crimes. The pace of commutations – along with pardons, which are less common – is expected to increase as the end of Obama’s presidency nears. |
| The prisoners given commutations have been “granted a second chance to lead productive and law-abiding lives,” said the deputy attorney general, Sally Quillian Yates. | The prisoners given commutations have been “granted a second chance to lead productive and law-abiding lives,” said the deputy attorney general, Sally Quillian Yates. |
| “Our clemency work is continuing as part of our broader efforts to effectuate criminal justice reform and ensure fairness and proportionality in sentencing,” Yates said. | “Our clemency work is continuing as part of our broader efforts to effectuate criminal justice reform and ensure fairness and proportionality in sentencing,” Yates said. |
| Related: Obama commutes sentences of 58 convicts, including 18 life sentences | Related: Obama commutes sentences of 58 convicts, including 18 life sentences |