Angela Reynolds
Commutation by Donald J. Trump
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance
- District
- Northern Texas
- Original Sentence
- 275 months' imprisonment; four years' supervised release (May 13, 2016)
- Clemency Type
- Commutation — reduces sentence but conviction stands
Case Overview & Context
Plain-English summary of the case and the legal context for this type of clemency
Case Overview
Angela Reynolds was convicted in the Northern District of Texas of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. She was sentenced on May 13, 2016, to 275 months (approximately 23 years) in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release.
Pardon Context
A commutation reduces or eliminates the remainder of a prison sentence but does not erase the conviction or restore civil rights like voting or firearm possession. Reynolds' underlying conviction remains on her record, and she will still be subject to the terms of supervised release once freed. The presidential clemency power under Article II of the Constitution is plenary and requires no judicial approval or external review. The president's personal reasoning for this specific grant is not publicly documented.
AI-generated summary based on public clemency records. The president's specific personal reasoning for this grant is not publicly documented.
Constitutional authority: Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the President “Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States.” This power is absolute for federal crimes — Congress cannot override it, and no judicial review is required. The president is not required to publish reasons for individual grants.