Movement family,

I’m all too aware that this holiday season, many families are coming together with an empty seat at the table, missing someone who is behind a wall.

As a result of our country’s mass incarceration crisis, 50% of adults have had an immediate family member incarcerated. Half.

Many of those who live behind a wall could be profoundly helped by a powerful tool: presidential clemency. Through pardons and communications, a president can deliver justice, reunite families, and reintegrate people into communities.

Donald Trump is using this tool at a higher rate than previous presidents. But the manner in which he wields this power continues a familiar pattern for him: making history for all the wrong reasons.

Last week, I released a new, first-of-its-kind report exposing Trump's Clemency Gap and how his pardons neglect those who need them most. The results are alarming and shameful.

Instead of using clemency to address systemic injustices, Trump has used it to shield extremists, restrict abortion access, reward corporations, and embolden corruption by erasing massive financial penalties for the wealthy and well-connected. Meanwhile, the millions harmed by mass incarceration have been ignored.

Here are some takeaways:

1,500+ pardons went to January 6th insurrectionists
85% of pardons and commutations went to white people
Only nine clemency actions were for people convicted of drug offenses
Around $1.4B in restitution and fines were wiped away as a result of Trump’s clemency grants
Trump granted the first-ever pardon of a corporation to a multi-million-dollar global crypto company
59% of women pardoned had obstructed or denied access to reproductive healthcare
Only 0.08% of clemency applications were granted through the DOJ’s application process

Presidential clemency should be used to address injustices — not to reward political allies, corporations, and insurrectionists.

That's why I'm calling on Trump's pardon czar to prioritize clemency for people disproportionately harmed by mass incarceration, including Black, brown, low-income, LGBTQ+, and disabled folks.

Now we must all speak out: add your name to co-sign my demands for a clemency system that advances justice.

In solidarity,

Ayanna