‘Appalling but unsurprising’: Rep. Maxine Waters condemns Trump’s pardon of Changpeng Zhao
Rep. Maxine Waters condemned President Trump's pardon of Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao as corrupt and self-serving.Summary
Representative Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, strongly criticized President Donald Trump's pardon of Binance co-founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, calling it an "appalling but unsurprising reflection of his presidency: one defined by corruption, self-interest, and loyalty to criminals."
Waters alleged the pardon was a payoff resulting from Zhao's lobbying and billions funneled into World Liberty Financial, a Trump-affiliated crypto company, labeling it a blatant example of pay-to-play corruption. The White House announced the pardon, claiming Zhao was prosecuted by the Biden Administration despite no "identifiable victims." Zhao had previously pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program.
Trump stated he does not know Zhao personally but was recommended by many people. The pardon follows Trump pardoning others deemed inappropriately convicted by Biden, fueling speculation he might also pardon FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
(Source：The Block)