so does trump pardon manafort now? if he had gotten the 25 years that were recommended by the prosecutors, trump could've pardoned on the basis that the sentencing was disproportionately harsh and im willing to bet there is a strong case in his favor. i doubt rich straight white men have seen that many years inside a prison cell for the crimes manafort was just sentenced to.
so you can argue that this could be a calculated move but it's hard to see it from that perspective when the judge views manafort having lived a blameless life.
what a defining quote. it's a harsh reminder of where the majority of americans stand on the totem pole and i believe that was the judge's intent for it to be seen that way