Americans shouldn't need a celebrity advocating on their behalf to get a pardon from the president. Under Trump, thousands of petitions are ignored while those with special access to the president are granted clemency.
In February, Trump granted clemency to 11 people, including several individuals who had been convicted on charges related to political corruption, like former Celebrity Apprentice contestant Rod Blagojevich.
Presidential pardons and commutations should not be viewed as an occasionally act of forgiveness but treated as a routine part of the federal criminal justice system to remedy injustice and provide mercy.
The President has broad authority to remedy injustice & provide mercy through the issuance of pardons and commutations. Yet thousands of nonviolent offenders, a disproportionate number are people of color, are serving harsh prison terms as a result of the so-called War on Drugs.
