Utah officials object to NBA YoungBoy pardon by Donald Trump
NBA YoungBoy was pardoned by President Donald Trump last week. The Baton Rouge rapper was absolved of his crimes after pleading guilty to possessing weapons as a felon in December, with the Trump Administration stating the pardon was delivered to “correct a politicised and weaponised justice system.”
Following the news, two Utah officials have disagreed with Trump’s decision to pardon YoungBoy. Cache County Attorney Taylor Sorensen and Sheriff D Chad Jensen released a statement after the legal move was made.
“We are extremely proud of the work our investigator and prosecutors did on this case as well as grateful for all the help we received from other local and federal agencies,” they said. “Mr Gaulden pled guilty to the charges in this investigation, and we feel strongly the Justice System in Cache County is far from a weaponised system of justice.
”We have highly trained, honest, experienced and professional sheriff’s investigators and county prosecutors, along with respected District Court Judges and Defence Attorneys. We, along with all of our staff are proud of the work we do in Cache County.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Utah House District 16 member Trevor Lee added, “As a state we should still go after him.”
YoungBoy thanked Trump after being pardoned, which relieved him of strict probation terms and ended over five years of legal issues.
“I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist,” he said. “This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.”
His lawyer, Drew Findling, concluded, “I am thrilled for Kentrell that his legal journey has come to a conclusion. From Louisiana to Utah the battles have been endless, and now he can concentrate on first and foremost his family, and then, of course, his amazing career.”