1: Commit Crime 2: Praise Trump and Make Big Donations 3: Get pardon
Trump Pardons Convicted Binance Founder
The Wall Street Journal reports Trump Pardons Convicted Binance Founder
President Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the convicted founder of the crypto exchange Binance, according to people familiar with the matter, following months of efforts by Zhao to boost the Trump family’s own crypto company.
The president signed the pardon on Wednesday, the people said. Trump recently indicated to advisers that he was sympathetic to arguments of political persecution related to Zhao and others, one of the people said.
A pardon will likely pave the way for Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, to return to the U.S. after the company pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating U.S. anti-money-laundering requirements and was barred from operating in the country.
Since Trump’s election, Binance has also been a key supporter of his family’s World Liberty Financial crypto venture, a business that has driven a huge leap in the president’s personal wealth.
Binance first reached out to allies of Trump last year, offering to strike a business deal with the family as part of a plan to return the company to the U.S., the Journal reported earlier this year. Representatives of the Trump family have held talks to take a financial stake in the U.S. arm of Binance.
Zhao is the latest crypto executive to receive a pardon from Trump. In March, the president pardoned Arthur Hayes, a co-founder of the crypto exchange BitMEX who had pleaded guilty to violating anti-money-laundering laws.
Hoot of the Day
Trump pardoned Zhao on grounds he was persecuted for political reasons.
What’s the evidence the conviction of Zhao was political?
Meanwhile, Trump’s vendetta against political opponents is massive and ongoing.
Recent Federal Charges
- Letitia James: The Attorney General of New York, who previously brought a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump, was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2025 on charges of bank fraud and making false statements related to a mortgage application. This occurred after Trump-appointed attorney Lindsey Halligan took over the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
- James Comey: The former FBI Director, who was fired by Trump in his first term, was indicted in September 2025 for making a false statement and obstruction related to his 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The charges were sought by the DOJ after Trump publicly pressured officials to prosecute his perceived foes.
- John Bolton: Trump’s former National Security Adviser, who published a critical book about his time in the White House, was indicted in October 2025 on charges of unlawfully transmitting and retaining classified documents.
Broader Patterns of Targeting Opponents
- Revoking security clearances: A host of officials who have criticized Trump have had their security clearances revoked or their Secret Service details withdrawn.
- Targeting institutions: Trump has also targeted entire law firms and universities.
- House Judiciary Committee: The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chair Jim Jordan, has supported the administration in its pursuit of Trump’s enemies.
Revoking Security Clearance
- John Brennan: Trump revoked the security clearance of his predecessor as CIA Director in 2018, citing Brennan’s “erratic conduct and behavior” after Brennan harshly criticized him. The move was protested by a dozen former top intelligence officials.
- Bruce Ohr: A career Justice Department official, Ohr’s security clearance was put under review by Trump in 2018. This action was taken after Republicans criticized Ohr’s contacts with Christopher Steele, the author of the Steele dossier.
- Fiona Hill and Alexander Vindman: Both former National Security Council officials were among those whose clearances Trump revoked in March 2025. Both had testified during Trump’s first impeachment trial.
- Mark Zaid: A prominent national security lawyer whose clients have included intelligence community whistleblowers, Zaid’s clearance was stripped in August 2025.
- Dozens more: In August 2025, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, acting on Trump’s directive, revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former officials, accusing them of “politicizing or weaponizing intelligence”.
On May 24, I commented Trump’s Attacks on Law Firms Correctly Smacked Again by the Courts
Trump took aim at Paul Weiss just for representing someone.
Illegal and unconstitutional extortion is what we have here. Trump collected a cool $40 million for it.
Justice is on sale and the price is $40 million.
Weaponization Irony
Without a doubt Biden illegally weaponized the Justice Department against Trump.
So did New York State in it’s preposterous tax case against Trump.
I defended Trump numerous times over this weaponization. In response I was accused of being “Extreme Right”. What a hoot. [I have also been accused many times of being extreme Left. An on 4 occasions both in the same day].
The weaponization backfired. It is one of the reasons Trump won.
Revenge
Trump’s response is even worse. He is targeting law firms just for defending someone.
The cult foolishly cheers.
Trump Pardons for Sale, What’s the Going Price?
On May 27, I addressed the question Trump Pardons for Sale, What’s the Going Price?
$1 Million for a Pardon
The New York Times reports Trump Pardoned Tax Cheat After Mother Attended $1 Million Dinner
That’s a free link. Spare me the sap about the source. If you think it is factually incorrect, comment away.
The reparation for a law firm that displeases Trump is a cool $40 million.
The get-out-of-jail card for an individual is $1 million.
Alternatively, one can promote Trump meme coins or Trump family’s own crypto company.
Government is for sale. Doesn’t that make you proud of Trump?
Hoot of the Day Hypocrisy – Addendum
A reader commented:
“Biden: no one is above the law. I will not Pardon Hunter ! Please point me to all the articles and the outrage about that when they were occurring .”
What an amazing hoot.
Please consider President Biden, a Hypocrite and a Liar, Pardons His Son Hunter
Even if I didn’t write that (and attack Biden on flouting the Supreme Court many times) since when do two wrongs make a right?
Whataboutism is a feeble argument. The irony in this case is that I did comment and have blasted Biden repeatedly for many things.
Very few people are willing to look at both sides, and the comment is from one of the most one-sided Trump supporters on my blog.
