Sam Bankman-Fried’s Bid for Presidential Pardon: A Political Maneuver
The potential release of FTX’s co-founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, from prison has once again become a topic of discussion. This possibility has emerged as he makes a last-ditch political move to secure a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Strategic Move to Win Over Donald Trump
In an attempt to gain favor with Donald Trump, Sam Bankman-Fried has made efforts to align himself with the former U.S. President, hoping to secure a pardon. During a recent interview with the New York Sun, Bankman-Fried openly criticized the Democratic Party and the Biden administration, aiming to attract sympathy from Trump and the Republicans.
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Despite being a major donor to the Democratic Party in the past, Bankman-Fried expressed significant disappointment with the Biden administration. It’s noteworthy that he was convicted of fraud and misuse of customer funds, leading to a 25-year sentence on March 28, 2024.
In a bid to appeal to the current government, Bankman-Fried also voiced his support for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), which focuses on reducing government expenditures. He emphasized that some areas require cuts of up to 30%, 50%, or even 70%.
Throughout his legal ordeal, Bankman-Fried has consistently maintained his innocence. During the interview, he reiterated his belief that neither he nor other FTX executives were guilty as charged.
Previously, reports suggested that Bankman-Fried’s parents were lobbying Trump for a presidential pardon on their son’s behalf. This interview appears to be part of a broader strategy to capture the attention of the former president.
Criticism of Biden’s Judiciary System by FTX’s Co-Founder
Bankman-Fried did not hold back his criticism of Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over his case, as well as the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Biden’s leadership. He lamented what he perceives as the “politicization of the DOJ” over recent decades, noting a positive shift under Trump’s influence.
Interestingly, Judge Kaplan also oversaw a civil case involving Trump, where the jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation against E. Jean Carroll. Bankman-Fried used this shared experience to try and resonate with Trump, acknowledging that they both share frustrations with Judge Kaplan.
Last year, Bankman-Fried filed an appeal, arguing that Judge Kaplan was biased against him from the start, denying him a fair trial.
If successful in his efforts, Sam Bankman-Fried could become the second individual from the cryptocurrency world to receive a pardon from Donald Trump. The former president previously pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, fulfilling a campaign promise.
