Executive Grant of Clemency for Terence Sutton
January 22, 2025
Action Summary
- Action: Executive Grant of Clemency for TERENCE SUTTON.
- Date: January 22, 2025.
- Authority: Exercised under Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution by President Donald J. Trump.
- Offense Details: Pardon for convictions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia related to violations of:
- Section 2103, Title 22, District of Columbia Code
- Section 371, Title 18, United States Code
- Section 1512, Title 18, United States Code
- Sentencing Context: Original sentence on September 12, 2024, included prison terms (66, 48, and 48 months concurrently), 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $300.
- Designated Representative: The Pardon Attorney is empowered to sign the clemency on behalf of the President.
- Formalization: The order is signed by President Trump and sealed by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Grant of Clemency for Terence Sutton is a specific legal action that does not directly impact Vanderbilt University. However, it may reflect broader trends in the administration’s approach to criminal justice and clemency, which could influence public policy discussions and research areas.
- There is a potential reputational risk if the university is perceived as aligning with or opposing the administration’s clemency decisions, particularly if these decisions become politically contentious.
- Vanderbilt’s law and criminal justice programs may need to consider how such clemency actions could affect their curriculum and research focus, particularly in areas related to federal sentencing and pardons.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt Law School may find opportunities to engage in research and discussion on the implications of executive clemency, potentially influencing policy recommendations or legal scholarship.
- The Department of Political Science could explore the political and social implications of clemency actions, contributing to broader academic and public discourse.
Financial Impact
- There is no direct financial impact on Vanderbilt University from this specific clemency action. However, shifts in federal policy regarding criminal justice could influence funding opportunities for related research and programs.
- Vanderbilt may consider seeking grants or partnerships to study the effects of clemency and criminal justice reform, potentially enhancing its academic reputation and financial resources in these areas.
Relevance Score: 2 (Minor considerations for the university to address, primarily in terms of academic focus and potential reputational implications.)
Key Actions
- N/A – The executive grant of clemency for Terence Sutton does not directly impact Vanderbilt University’s operations or strategic interests.
Opportunities
- N/A – There are no apparent opportunities for Vanderbilt University arising from the executive grant of clemency for Terence Sutton.
Relevance Score: 1
Timeline for Implementation
N/A – There are no directives or implementation deadlines; the clemency is effective as stated by the date of the document.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of Justice (DOJ): This agency is directly involved through the designated role of the Pardon Attorney, who is empowered to execute the pardon on behalf of the President.
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia: The court that conducted the original conviction, making it indirectly impacted by the executive clemency action.
Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 agencies are impacted by this order.)
Responsible Officials
- Pardon Attorney – Designated by the President to sign the clemency order as the official representative of the executive branch.
Relevance Score: 2 (The directive targets a specific designated official typically operating at a mid-level within the Department of Justice.)