**Trump Commutes Sentence of Notorious Gang Leader Larry Hoover**
**Meta Description:** Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, a Chicago gang leader, following advocacy from Kanye West.
**URL Slug:** trump-commutes-larry-hoover-sentence
**Larry Hoover’s Sentence Commuted by Trump Amid Controversy**
In a significant move, President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover Sr., the founder of the Gangster Disciples (GDs), after lobbying efforts from the controversial hip-hop artist Kanye West, now known as Ye. On Wednesday, Trump announced the commutation of Hoover’s six life sentences, which stemmed from a 1998 conviction, as reported by NBC News.
This decision comes in the wake of a campaign led by West, who has actively sought Hoover’s release and met with Trump in the Oval Office to discuss the matter. The commutation is part of a broader series of pardons that also included a former New York congressman, a Connecticut governor, rapper NBA YoungBoy, a labor union leader, and a former army officer.
While Hoover’s sentence has been commuted, he will not be released from prison. Instead, he will be transferred to a state facility to serve the remainder of his 200-year sentence for separate convictions in state court. The Gangster Disciples, under Hoover’s leadership, became one of Chicago’s most notorious gangs, rivaling the Black Disciples (BDs).
Kanye West expressed his gratitude on social media, sharing images from a 2021 benefit concert titled “Free Larry Hoover,” which he held alongside popular artist Drake. He stated, “WORDS CAN’T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER.”
Hoover, often referred to as the “chairman of the board” and the “king,” has been labeled “one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history.” Prosecutors allege that he orchestrated violence and drug trafficking in Chicago from the 1970s until his arrest in 1995. His son, Larry Hoover Jr., has been advocating for his father’s release for years and was featured in Kanye West’s 2021 song “Jesus Lord.”
From prison, Hoover has reportedly rebranded the Gangster Disciples as Growth and Development, claiming to discourage violence, a statement that federal prosecutors contest.
**FAQ**
**Q: Why was Larry Hoover’s sentence commuted?**
A: Larry Hoover’s sentence was commuted by President Trump following lobbying efforts from Kanye West, who advocated for his release.
