re: #122 Citizen K

And we see one reason why he pardoned them: they owe him and now they are indebted to them. Granted, it’s possible many already saw him as a personal messiah, but now he’s dragged their asses out of their deserved fryers.

Their apparent enjoyment of war crimes and killing/torturing brown folk probably helped with Dolt 45’s decision too.

It’s much bigger than the individuals. He pardoned these war criminals to send a broader message to his followers that violence and rank lawlessness is okay if it advances something Trump considers to be necessary. He’s priming his base for street violence in defense of him contesting the 2020 election.

There’s also a second, narrower message being aimed at people like Flynn, Manafort, and Stone that they will be rewarded for their loyalty once it becomes politically expedient to do so.