The attorney for the late boxing great Muhammad Ali said a presidential pardon would be “unnecessary,” after President Trump said Friday he’s thinking “very seriously” about issuing him one.
“His memory is very popular now. I’m thinking about Muhammad Ali. I’m thinking about that very seriously,” Trump said in regard to a new round of pardons he is considering under his authority as president of the United States.
Ali was convicted after he refused to report for induction into the Army in 1967, but had his conviction overturned by the Supreme Court. President Jimmy Carter pardoned all draft dodgers in 1977.
Ali’s lawyer Ron Tweel released a statement Friday, saying an additional pardon from Trump would be unnecessary.
“We appreciate President Trump’s sentiment, but a pardon is unnecessary,” Tweel said, referencing the Supreme Court case. “There is no conviction from which a pardon is needed.”
JUST IN: @MuhammadAli’s attorney responds to reports of @realDonaldTrump possible pardoning consideration. @WLKY pic.twitter.com/hV4WLsLxwL
— Tre Ward (@TreWardWLKY) June 8, 2018
As Trump was describing Ali, he was asked if he’s thinking of pardoning O.J. Simpson, who was found liable for the death of his wife, Nicole Simpson, but was never convicted of killing her.
“No, I’m not thinking about O.J.,” Trump said.
