PARDONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “It was as if the last decade had not happened. Wearing a black turtleneck and blazer — an American flag pin affixed to its lapel — Bernard B. Kerik made an appearance on Fox News. Then it was on to a Midtown steakhouse for dinner and Ketel-One-and-cranberry cocktails, courtesy of his old friend Bo Dietl, who wanted to toast Mr. Kerik. The day before, President Trump had personally informed Mr. Kerik that he was being pardoned. With that, the dishonored former New York City police commissioner was moved ahead of 14,000 others seeking pardons, forgiven his criminal convictions and unshackled from restrictions that can impede the post-prison careers of people with felony records.”
–Dan Barry and J. David Goodman, “Kerik Had ‘Hit Bottom.’ Then Trump Pardoned Him.,” The New York Times online, February 26, 2020