Trump reportedly considering P Diddy pardon before America 250 celebrations

Reports claim Sean Combs is being privately discussed for possible presidential clemency

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering granting clemency to Sean "P Diddy" Combs as part of a wider round of presidential pardons being discussed ahead of America's 250th Independence Day celebrations. While no decision has been announced, multiple US media outlets have reported that the music mogul is among several high profile names being privately reviewed by the White House.

According to CBS News, Trump was expected to meet advisers on July 3 to discuss a new round of pardons, with sources saying Combs was one of several prominent individuals whose cases had been raised during internal conversations. However, the report stressed that Combs was not expected to appear on the formal recommendations prepared by the White House pardon team and that no final decision had been made.

Reports suggest the broader clemency effort could involve as many as 250 pardons to coincide with the United States marking its 250th anniversary of independence. The reported initiative has become known as "250 pardons for 250 years", although the White House has not officially confirmed such a programme.

Combs is currently serving a federal prison sentence after being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of the more serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges during his highly publicised federal trial. His legal team is continuing to appeal the conviction and sentence.

The reports have also revived attention to Trump's previous comments about the Bad Boy Records founder. Last year, Trump acknowledged that Combs had sought presidential clemency and said he would consider the request. However, recently, the President said Combs had written to him requesting a pardon but insisted he was not considering granting it at that time. The White House referred reporters back to those remarks when asked about the latest reports.

Sources cited by CBS News also identified former The Fugees member Prakazrel "Pras" Michel as another individual whose case has been privately discussed, although, like Combs, no decision has reportedly been reached. The White House has maintained that Trump alone will determine any future clemency actions.

Trump has made extensive use of his constitutional pardon powers during his presidency, granting clemency to political allies, business figures and celebrities, while also issuing large scale pardons connected to the January 6 Capitol cases. On July 3, he separately announced pardons for six people convicted in cases involving vehicle emissions violations, describing them as victims of political persecution.

At present, there is no confirmation that Sean Combs will receive a presidential pardon.