President Donald Trump went on an executive clemency spree this week, in which he issued more than two dozen pardons and commutations for individuals previously convicted of federal crimes and either faced unjust prosecution and incarceration or had turned their lives around and redeemed themselves.

Among those pardoned was former Republican Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who'd already completed two separate prison sentences following convictions for corruption and election fraud, according to Fox News.

Also receiving clemency from Trump were a few other former politicians and politically involved individuals, a reality TV celebrity couple, a former union boss, a notorious former Chicago gang leader, a rapper, and several former drug dealers, among others.

Former Connecticut governor pardoned

According to the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney, Trump signed off on a total of 19 pardons and eight commutations between May 27-29, which included former Connecticut Gov. Rowland.

Per Fox News, Rowland resigned amid his third term as governor in 2004 ahead of a conviction for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. in relation to an alleged pay-to-play scheme, for which he was sentenced to one year in prison. He was later convicted of multiple election fraud and obstruction charges in 2014 and sentenced to an additional 30 months in prison and was released in 2018.

CT Insider reported that Rowland's pardon received mixed reactions among prominent public figures in Connecticut, as some supported the move because the former governor had paid the price for his crimes while others criticized the clemency as a politically motivated reward for his bad behavior.

Among those who supported the pardon is Republican Party State chairBen Proto, who said, "When you look at what John Rowland has done since he's returned to Connecticut from prison, he's really led an exemplary life. He's helped prisoners, felons who are getting out of prison readjust back to life. I think he learned a lot. The lessons were very hard lessons."

"He's done a lot of very good things for people who are often forgotten by society or looked down upon by society," Proto added. "John has looked at them and said, 'You are a good person. You are worthy, and I want to help you make the most of that opportunity that you're now being given.'"

Todd and Julie Chrisley pardoned

Also receiving pardons this week from Trump, according to NBC News, were former reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley of reality television's Chrisley Knows Best, who were convicted in 2022 of multiple charges related to defrauding banks and tax evasion, for which they'd received 12 and seven year sentences, respectively.

In a Friday press conference, Todd Chrisley maintained his innocence and stated, "Whether you believe it or not -- because I was you at some point -- even though this pardon has happened, I still was convicted of something that I did not do. It could be you. It could be you, it could be any of you. And somewhere in this room, someone has had a family member that has been affected by the system."

As for his wife Julie's apparent apology and admission of guilt last year, Todd fired back at reporters, "You're placed in a position as a defendant to either bow down and kiss the ass of the Department of Justice and accept responsibility for things that you did not do in order to avoid a stronger sentence."

Gang leader, rapper, drug dealers benefit

Arguably the most controversial President Trump's pardons this week was the one for Larry Hoover, the founder and former leader of Chicago's Gangster Disciples street gang, who was been serving multiple life sentences since 1973 for murder, conspiracy, drug, extortion, and other serious crimes, according to the BBC.

Hoover has since renounced the gang lifestyle and his former criminal ways, and become an anti-gang crusader from inside prison, but he will likely remain behind bars for the rest of his life as he will continue to serve a 200-year murder sentence imposed by the state of Illinois.

According to the Associated Press, many of Trump's pardons and commutations came on the advice of Alice Marie Johnson, an elderly former drug dealer he pardoned in his first term and has now appointed as his pardon czar, including New Orleans rapper NBA Youngboy, real name Kentrell Gaulden, who was convicted of federal firearms crimes and publicly thanked Trump for the "opportunity" to make himself a better person in the future.