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.
Hoot of the Day Hypocrisy
billybobjr: Biden “no one is above the law ” I will not Pardon Hunter ! Autopen pardoned so many that I lost count some hadn’t even committed a crime just blanket pardons .
Please point me to all the articles and the outrage about that when they were occuring . Going after your political oponents using the FBI and Doj was exactly what Obama, Biden and the Dems did . Sorry Mish you have lost credibility on this subject. The AG of new York ran on going after Trump if and when she got elected and she did .
Mish: When did I defend Biden’s pardons?
Unlike hypocrites like you. I call out both sides.
President Biden, a Hypocrite and a Liar, Pardons His Son Hunter
https://mishtalk.com/politics/president-biden-a-hypocrite-and-a-liar-pardons-his-son-hunter/
Besides, even if I didn’t write that (and attack Biden on flouting the Supreme Court many times) since when wo two wrongs make a right?
You are the one with no credibility, and are not even bright enough to look up what you said.
I expect an apology.
Agree. The hypocrisy of the remaining Trump supporters is amazing. I am so sick of this dangerous, narcissistic, blowhard egomaniac. This Epstein compromised, Roy Cohn mentored, longtime Democrat and friend of Bill and Hillary, gameshow host snake oil salesman. Can’t believe I voted for him in 2016. BTW, who pardoned the infamous traitor Jonathan Pollard? If you guessed Biden, you guessed wrong.
And somehow Edward Snowden remains unpardoned for his grave sin of informing the American people that their government was illegally spying on them.
The standard MAGA line is indeed: Yes, Trump is corrupt, but so is/was also (insert name). This defense is so flawed logically and morally that it hurts to realize that this is what our public discourse has degenerated into.
We need a name for Trump’s overt corruption for the history books. Like Teapot Dome and so forth.
Ideas?
it’s not only flawed logically, it’s that Trump’s corruption is just on another scale. it’s like comparing jay walking to murder.
he literally makes BILLIONS in a crypto firm while he’s deciding crypto policy, and the crypto firm is expressly telling people to buy their coins and do deals to gain favor with the Trump family.
UAE invested $2 billion in Trump resorts, and a couple of weeks later they get an exemption allowing them to buy the most powerful chip we have. he’s negotiating tariff deals with Vietnam while Trump has applications pending for a $1B resort there (surprise! it got granted fast).
i mean, the Trump family and his friends plainly do not care about laws or appearances anymore. and neither does MAGA r Republicans at large. Our country, and our policy is literally for sale
Gotta love the “what-aboutism” from chuds like billybobjr. What a moron.
This country is filled to the brim with unemotionally driven unconscious fools from all political leanings.
“Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing? Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago? Etc etc etc. ….
Com’on. Mish. Yes. You are correct. But…
What’s needed these days is tolerance, forgiveness, compassion….
Please lead the way. I love you man.
Be the Light. Set the bar… the standard… The example. You have the power!
Be the high road. Blessings be. Thank you for being you. Be well. Best wishes.
Comment Removed by Mish
Any more race baiting will get you banned
=====
on my commenting how rotten USA judicial systemic USA is
i posted that Clinton pardoned MARK RICH who was je11w..
who was not even USA citizen. and was dealing w/ literally terrorists!
=====
and milken who lied about his cancer, who happened to be biggest crook of 2 half of 20th century, who happened also to be je11w! who bankrupted 2d biggest firm on wall street in 80x!
so?????
======
i did not mention anything: hitler, holocaust denial , nazi, etc!!!! nothing !!!
AND GOT THREAT OF GETTING CANNED!!!!! by mish!
and basically called by Mish (=je11w) anti-semitic, and race baiter!
=======
so you can post all sh1it here, but as soon as YOU POSTED WORD J11EW.
it is prohibited..
that is why THIS IS CALLED TRIBE.! AND MISH IS ALSO TRIBE!!!!!
alx
ps
btw MISH
Epstein WAS JEW.
MAXWELL WAS JEW TOO.
Mate, it’s time to step away from the online racist doomloop you seem to be stuck in.
The hypocrisy is piling up for sure. Even the “Big Beautiful Ballroom, which because of “no taxpayer funds” is designed to have us clapping like dumb trained seals. Those corporate titans are writing checks expecting something in return, they’re not donating out of the goodness of their AI “Patriot” hearts. Big time undue influence in my opinion. I’d be saying the same thing were the former dementia patient in chief doing this.
Seriously? Not one complaint when it was conservatives run thru the mill?
Now everyone complains ?
Bidens auto pen ??? Not a issue?
Crazy bias
Biden’s autopen is 100% irrelevant.
Who cares?
Who should care?
What matters is what Trump and republicans do now.
It’s still the economy stupid.
Trump’s brilliance is not giving AF. He doesn’t care that it’s obviously corrupt or wrong, he just does what he wants confidently and says it’s right, and he does it so much no one can keep up. By the time the outrage is public, there’s already something new.
Book: Three Felonies a Day
The volume of federal crimes in recent decades has increased well beyond the statute books and into the morass of the Code of Federal Regulations, handing federal prosecutors an additional trove of vague and exceedingly complex and technical prohibitions to stick on their hapless targets. The dangers spelled out in Three Felonies a Day do not apply solely to “white collar criminals,” state and local politicians, and professionals. No social class or profession is safe from this troubling form of social control by the executive branch, and nothing less than the integrity of our constitutional democracy hangs in the balance.
Go to Musk’s Grok and ask without the quotes: “Is there any evidence at high levels in the US for selective prosecution due to political orientation.”
A long list of examples with be given, at least when I just did that.
Make waves which significantly threaten the criminal enterprise of our banana republic and you will be selectively dealt with no matter which half of the UniParty is in control.
Comment Removed by Mish
Any more race baiting will get you banned
Mish
=====
on my commenting how rotten USA judicial systemic USA is
i posted that Clinton pardoned MARK RICH who was je11w..
who was not even USA citizen. and was dealing w/ literally terrorists!
=====
and milken who lied about his cancer, who happened to be biggest crook of 2 half of 20th century, who happened also to be je11w! who bankrupted 2d biggest firm on wall street in 80x!
so?????
======
i did not mention anything: hitler, holocaust denial , nazi, etc!!!! nothing !!!
AND GOT THREAT OF GETTING CANNED!!!!! by mish!
and basically called by Mish (=je11w) anti-semitic, and race baiter!
=======
so you can post all sh1it here, but as soon as YOU POSTED WORD J11EW.
it is prohibited..
that is why THIS IS CALLED TRIBE.! AND MISH IS ALSO TRIBE!!!!!
alx
ps
btw MISH
Epstein WAS JEW.
MAXWELL WAS JEW TOO.
I would add the shakedown of firms to build the new ballroom. Given his success on that I suspect we will see many more monuments to this President. I wonder when companies will finally say no these payments. Or I suspect the prices all thee companies charge the goivernment will go up so yes we taxpayers will fott the bill.
This should be an impeachable offense.
Taco has quickly climbed the ladder to being the worst president in the history of the US and has done so in less than one year.
He took the top spot Jan. 6th, 2020. No one else is even close, and he’s digging the hole deeper as fast as he can.
Loling, lmaoing even, at mish shedding tears over these lying corrupt deep state apparatchiks
Government is for sale
Yes. Everything in government is the voice of money.
The rest is some epiphenomenal window dressing to keep the rubes distracted.
This is what happens when you have the best government money can buy. Now in addition to this we have both parties weaponizing the legal system against political enemies. Both parties have blind sheep following and not disagreeing with any of this, even advocating it. Until they make this crap illegal, we will circle the drain until the SHTF. Institute term limits, one term only, and have the govt finance each campaign with no outside donations. Also need an amendment requiring a balanced budget like the convention of states is advocating for.
George Mason was right
Trump‘s into-your-face corruption is by now so bad that Mike Johnson‘s latest public defense was: Yes, Trump is corrupt, but he is transparently corrupt.
This is SO bad. If you followed the details, this outfit was flagrantly carrying on. The finance access went to some incredibly strange folks.
#George Santos!
fuc11ker literally LIED ABOUT EVERYTHING. and he is effing peder11ast
Blumenthal told lies about being a war hero in the Vietnam war so many times he even believed them ,injuries battles and so on . Your boy Joe continued to lie about his son being killed in Iraq many dozens of times they lie so much they begin to believe themselves
Biden & Trump both are pedos. It’s not an either/or.
Yes, Santos is an Idiot
Q: If you can see that (as can everyone else), why did your pal pardon him?
Answer: You can’t admit that your new lord and saviour Trump is also corrupt. That’s because you suffer from TWS. Trump Worship Syndrome.
Correct
Comment Removed by Mish
Any more race baiting will get you banned
Mish
I defended Trump numerous times over this weaponization. In response I was accused of being “Extreme Right”.
To me, Mish, you seem middle of the road. You probably lean a little left on some issues & then a little right on others.
LOL – Mish isn’t taking shite.
No, MAGA has reserved that for the American people. To be dispensed by fighter jet.
The “I love wikileaks/ I know nothing of wikileaks” shithead couldn’t even bother pardoning Assange. But he pardoned Blagoyavich and George Santos!
i remember his flip flopping about assange/ snowden
he is sucker. sometimes i wish bullet did not miss.
====
#George Santos!
fuc11ker literally LIED ABOUT EVERYTHING. and he is effing peder11ast
=Blagoyavich
dont know much. but he is politico from chicago, and he has face of corruption.
Blagoyavich is now a ‘respected’ commentator on Fox News in the evening. They either have very short memories of his corruption conviction while in office or they just don’t care. We care. We care NOT to have to see his face and listen to whatever he has to say.
Guys/gals, remember that Blago was a Dem. Just goes to show politics isn’t about red or blue. It’s about greeeen.
Biden “no one is above the law ” I will not Pardon Hunter ! Autopen pardoned so many that I lost count some hadn’t even committed a crime just blanket pardons .
Please point me to all the articles and the outrage about that when they were occuring . Going after your political oponents using the FBI and Doj was exactly what Obama, Biden and the Dems did . Sorry Mish you have lost credibility on this subject. The AG of new York ran on going after Trump if and when she got elected and she did .
What does Biden have anything to do with Trump selling pardons? Mish is discussing the current problem in the White House, not the one that is irrelevant now but clearly still living in your head rent free.
You were fine when it was the Dems doing but don’t like it now . The definition of a Hypocrite
I was fine? Says who? But let’s assume I was “fine” with every crime biden committed, what does that have anything to do with Trump selling pardons?
Is the standard that if one party commits a crime then it’s ok for other other party to commit crimes? Think about that for a long while and try to figure out where that leads long term. Think about it a long while.
” I was fine? Says who? But let’s assume I was “fine” with every crime biden committed”
You didn’t need to stipulate that. Idiots like that are not worth our time.
Okay, then hurry up & ignore his posts. Soon, you won’t have anyone to respond to which will be a great outcome for the rest of us.
It still makes you a hypocrite. Most of us realize history repeats itself, so what Biden did matters today. We all make comparisons to figure out what’s relatively good vs bad.
Of late, you’ve been harping about only today matters which is, again, garbage / hypocritical, because there is this thing called history. And the last I checked; we’re supposed to learn from it.
Obviously, when it comes to pardon’s, Trump could use a not so long-ago history lesson.
So BenW, what is your assessment, then? That Trump is relatively the same as Biden? Or that because Trump has already pardoned almost as many as Obama, that they’re equivalent morally?
I’m not following your logic. Can you unequivocally condemn Trump’s pardons?
it’s not the same. and “Dems” did it once. Trump has pardoned how many thousands of people including the Jan 6 criminals on video bashing cops in the face with metal bars for purely political or outright corrupt reasons?
Biden pardoned his son for BS prosecution no one cares about. he didn’t steal from anyone, launder money or hurt anyone (except himself). he was prosecuted for lying on a gun license because he did drugs which is probably the first time ever a red state prosecutor prosecuted this crime (against a well to do White guy anyway).
it’s on another level completely.
Funny i keep hearing about the biden crime family. Trump put two senators on hunter during his first term. In eight years they could not find enough to charge him beside his own stupidity. As far as i can tell he just the rich version of he can you give my boy a job. I dont agree with biden pardoning him but hey i guess i would do my son the same.
I wish people would hold their own politicians to the standards they expect the opposition. We would be a lot better off as a nation.
right, Biden was dirty in the way literally almost all politicians are dirty, by allowing their relatives to get better jobs than they otherwise would.
And youre right for all the talk of crime family, there hasn’t been any indication of actual corruption, just companies hiring Hunter because of his famous dad.
Investment banks and other companies hire family members of pols for the same reason they hire relatives of celebrities, it’s easy for people like that to get meetings and that’s what these people do, they work in “client relations”.
if your client relations person in the daughter of a senator, she’ll be able to get meetings and the people on the other side are bragging about I just had lunch with ABC’s daughter.
Hoot of the Day Hypocrisy
billybobjr: Biden “no one is above the law ” I will not Pardon Hunter ! Autopen pardoned so many that I lost count some hadn’t even committed a crime just blanket pardons .
Please point me to all the articles and the outrage about that when they were occuring . Going after your political oponents using the FBI and Doj was exactly what Obama, Biden and the Dems did . Sorry Mish you have lost credibility on this subject. The AG of new York ran on going after Trump if and when she got elected and she did .
Mish: When did I defend Biden’s pardons?
Unlike hypocrites like you. I call out both sides.
President Biden, a Hypocrite and a Liar, Pardons His Son Hunter
https://mishtalk.com/politics/president-biden-a-hypocrite-and-a-liar-pardons-his-son-hunter/
Besides, even if I didn’t write that (and attack Biden on flouting the Supreme Court many times) since when wo two wrongs make a right?
You are the one with no credibility, and are not even bright enough to look up what you said.
I expect an apology.
Maybe a little too much inbreeding with billybob…
there was plenty of outrage. But, pardoning your son for a clearly political prosecution is not on par with literally selling pardons for money. One is nepotism, the other is outright corruption. Selling your government for money is worse than pardoning your son for a BS prosecution.
Hunter was prosecuted for lying about drug use on a gun license application and this was in a red state! I mean, who gives a crap? most of the gun owners i know are borderline alkies and use other drugs too and it’s not an issue.
prosecutors are not taking guns away from people with substance abuse issues– I mean, have you been to Florida??
Maybe consider starting with a new alias, after Mish’s reply?
The biggest crime is what: Obama, Clapper, Brennan, Comey, and Hillary did to a duly elected incoming President. Crazy to say it, but they should all be charged. No way to slice it any other way. Anyone who says the Deep State does not exist ….. I hate to break it to you it does. I don’t blame Trump one bit. They have already tried to impeach him and throw him in jail. All for BS stuff. So yes, Trump is right to go after them.
Trump was a known sexual abuser of many different stripes for 40+ years, and the Trump foundation was run like a criminal enterprise from its inception.
One day, God will judge your willing blindness and support of the devil
The devil does not exist!
That’s what the devil would say. 👹
Not a binary, a spectrum. As long as people overlook this stuff, others are incentivized to keep probing in that direction. Horrible incentives.
Which he’s doing thankfully, and the country will be better off for it.
How is it BS when Trump fomented a mob to attack the Capitol, then kept lying about the election, and got people to submit fake ballots?
One of his campaign promises was to jail Hillary…didn’t happen then and won’t now…
Methinks this is probably a good time to get investments out of the US before the ai bubble pops and the debt bill comes to the table.
The world is awash in debt. When the bubble pops there may not be a place to hide. Was nz around 2009 some guy was blaming me for the money he lost in the us housing bubble.
I guess, except a corrupt authoritarian government can keep things going for a long time, especially if they’re in bed with business which they are. Just look at China.
they can juke stats, do away with pesky laws that cost businesses money etc…
Trump promised to get personal revenge on his enemies the entire time he was out of office, including the 2024 campaign. If you voted for Trump and did not think he would do all of these things, then you’re his huckleberry.
Also, don’t criticize him ever, or you might be his next target. See how this works?
“There’s an old saying in Tennessee – I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee – that says, fool me once, shame on – shame on you. Fool me – you can’t get fooled again.”
From another incompetent hillbilly president circa 2000.
Hard to believe that was a quarter century ago.
Dubya was a saint compared to this turd.
Even Clinton was a saint if the bar is orange enough.
lol … The orange bar. I’ll remember this one.
Well, Billyboy was our last fiscally conservative…
Not a good omen when previous administration officials are jailed.
Revenge is catching on; in France they have jailed Le Pen and Sarkozy.
All over Europe they are using lawfare against political opponents.
And a lot of politics nowadays consists of disenfranchising a large part of the electorate who voted for the wrong party or wrong ideas; this is the actual root of the polarization.
Problem with Trump’s adversaries is that they are all traitors to their oath and the constitution, so who cares; they did not take the high road and contravened the spirit of the law, as well as the black letter in too many cases.
“Government is for sale. Doesn’t that make you proud of Trump?”
The end stage of empires is looting and pillaging of the last remaining pieces of wealth.
Got exit strategy?
Like a diseased tree, and the opportunistic pathogens are swirling in from all directions, and finding something to feast on: fresh edibles in the gaps in our former institutions.
If true, how is this any different from Biden?
You would not accept a reasonable explanation, considering you are asking such a question. The answers are all self-evident.
I will refer you to Mish’s comment on this link from a few posts ago.
https://mishtalk.com/economics/home-and-auto-insurance-costs-are-soaring-are-rate-caps-the-answer/
What difference does it make?
Who is running the country now?
Comments like the above may be accurate but they are irrelevant and evidence of your efforts to defend Trump by any means, deflecting blame.
I get Mish’s point. Whataboutism is generally lame, but there is some value in context (comparing a president to past presidents), especially as it relates to non-economic things like starting non-declared wars, extra-judicial killings, pushing the boundaries of executive power, using the intelligence community against journalists, using government threats to stifle speech, etc.
Around 1,500%.
none.
big club and we aint in!
“Two wrongs don’t make a right”. Famous saying.
Selling pardons is bad. The people being prosecuted because of Trump’s “vendetta” (as you put it) 100% deserve it. The revoked security clearances are well-deserved. Brennan should be imprisoned for the rest of his natural life. I’m sure he’ll pay after that, too.
What exactly have people like Brennan done? Or are accused of doing?
You can start your research here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3FxH39oYsA
Made-up, wildly exaggerated nonsense.