Trump Pardons 2 D.C. Officers Convicted in Fatal Chase and Cover-Up
New York TimesJAN 18
Trump Pardons DC Officers Convicted in Fatal Moped Chase
Above: US Pres. Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address Jan. 20, 2025. Image copyright: Chip Somodevilla/Contributor/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
These officers deserve clemency because they were unfairly targeted by politically motivated prosecutors in an unprecedented case that criminalized standard police work. The tragic outcome resulted from Hylton-Brown's decision to flee a lawful stop, not from any criminal conduct by the officers, who were simply performing their duties.
Democratic narrative
These officers don't deserve these pardons. They caused a man's death and conspired to cover up their misconduct. Their actions were a disservice to the community and to other officers who work within constitutional bounds. This just goes to show Trump is willing to pardon violent criminals as long as they fit his political ideology.