Trump pardons drug kingpins even as he escalates U.S. drug war rhetoric
Briefly

President Trump has called for stricter drug war measures against Mexican cartels, including advocating for the death penalty for drug dealers. This tough stance contrasts sharply with his actions, as he has granted clemency to several individuals convicted of drug-related offenses, such as Larry Hoover, a notorious gang leader. Critics note the mixed messages from the administration create confusion, highlighting the conflict between advocating harsher penalties for drug trafficking and releasing convicted drug dealers from prison. This inconsistency raises concerns about the effectiveness and sincerity of Trump's drug policy actions.
"There's a lot of mixed messages and mixed signals [from the White House] which creates sort of chaos and uncertainty," said Jeffrey Singer, a drug policy analyst at the Cato Institute.
"I am ready for it, the death penalty, if you deal drugs," Trump said, during a meeting with state governors in February.
"Larry Hoover was the head of perhaps the most pernicious, efficient drug operation in the U.S., operating in 35 states," said Ron Safer, a former U.S. Attorney in Chicago.
But despite his tough rhetoric, Trump has sparked controversy by pardoning a growing number of convicted drug dealers.
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