Trump commutes sentence of Chicago gang founder after lobbying by Ye
Trump Commutes Sentence of Gangster Disciples Founder Larry Hoover
president Donald Trump commuted the six life sentences of Larry hoover Sr., the Chicago gang founder, who was convicted in 1997 on federal charges. The move follows a public campaign by hip-hop artist Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, who previously appealed to Trump in the Oval Office regarding Hoover’s release.
Despite the commutation, the 73-year-old Hoover will not be freed. He is slated to be transferred from a federal “Supermax” prison in Colorado to an Illinois state prison to complete a 200-year sentence stemming from separate state convictions.
Hoover founded the gangster Disciples in the early 1970s. The institution became notorious for selling cocaine and other narcotics. Prosecutors have described Hoover, also known as “chairman of the board” and “the king,” as “one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history,” alleging he directed violence and drug trafficking in Chicago from 1970 to 1995.
Evidence presented at trial indicated the gangster Disciples generated $109 million annually from narcotics sales, with a significant portion allegedly benefiting Hoover’s family.
Hoover’s attorneys, Jennifer Bonjean and Justin Moore, issued a statement to CBS News praising Trump’s decision. “the Courts have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to consider Mr. hoover’s considerable growth and complete rehabilitation,” they said. “Thankfully, Mr. Hoover’s pleas were heard by President Trump who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover.”
Larry Hoover Jr.has actively campaigned for his father’s release for years. He was also featured in Ye’s 2021 song ”Jesus Lord.”
Hoover has stated that he renamed his group “Growth and Development,” discouraging violence and mandating education for his followers, urging inmates to acquire job skills for post-release life.His family maintains he is no longer associated with the gangster disciples.
Federal prosecutors, however, have argued against Hoover’s release, citing Bureau of Prisons intelligence records suggesting Hoover’s continued leadership role within the Gangster Disciples. In September, Justice Department attorneys argued that “Hoover remains the heralded leader of the GDs,” urging the court to deny any release efforts under the “First step Act.”
Prosecutors stated, “Hoover has well earned his life sentence, and he is not the type of defendant Congress intended to benefit in enacting the First step Act.”
During a 2018 Oval Office meeting, Ye told Trump, “The reason why they imprisoned him is as he started doing positive for the community… So it’s very significant for me to get Hoover out, as in an alternate universe, I am him. And I have to go and get him free because he was doing positive inside of Chicago.”
Following news of the commutation, Ye posted on X, “WORDS CAN’T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER.”
What’s next
Hoover’s transfer to an Illinois state prison will determine the next phase of his incarceration, as he continues to serve his 200-year sentence.