Today, Trump killed justice. More than 3,000 troops remain in Iraq, according to defense officials, with a drawdown scheduled for January. Trump's Blackwater pardons an affront to justice, say UN experts This article is more than 2 months old Rights experts say pardon of four contractors over Iraq killings undermine humanitarian law RT reports, Two people caught up in ‘Russiagate’ investigations, three former members of Congress, and … The Iraqi government condemned the pardons, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying in a statement late on Wednesday that it would follow up with the U.S. through diplomatic channels to urge a reconsideration. President Trump’s pardon of the Four on Tuesday reopened many of those disputes. "On what basis did Trump depend on to release them? At a place called "Man Camp," Blackwater Team Raven 23 … Trump pardons Blackwater contractors convicted in deadly Iraq shooting News. Liberty is one of four former Blackwater contractors pardoned by President Donald Trump in one of his final acts in office, wiping away their convictions in a 2007 shooting rampage in Baghdad that killed more than a dozen Iraqi civilians. ", "After years of waiting, the victims finally saw justice served when these men were convicted," she said in an email. By Matt Stieb. Just days before Christmas, President Donald Trump announced that he’s given a wave of pardons to three corrupt former congressmen, two subjects of the special counsel’s Russia investigation and four Blackwater guards convicted in connection with the killings of Iraqi civilians. President Donald Trump's decision to pardon four Blackwater private security contractors convicted of a massacre in Baghdad has been met with fury by the victims' families in Iraq. By Reuters Staff. Trump Pardons Two Russia Inquiry Figures and Blackwater Guards The pre-Christmas wave of 20 pardons and commutations are not likely to be … 23 December 2020 . Erik Prince, chairman of the Prince Group, LLC and Blackwater USA, tesifies during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in 2007. pardon four Blackwater private security contractors, US announces troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan. Trump Pardons Blackwater Killers, Trump-Russia Figures, Corrupt ex-GOP Congressmen Posted by Scott Lucas | Dec 23, 2020 | 0 In an anticipated spree of pardons, Donald Trump has wiped away the convictions of Blackwater mercenaries who murdered civilians in Iraq, a prominent figure in Trump-Russia cooperation, and three former Republican Congressmen who committed financial crimes. Share page. Trump's pardon of Blackwater Iraq contractors violates international law, UN says Published Wed, Dec 30 2020 6:15 AM EST Share Share Article … Published 23 December 2020. The first is scandal-magnet Erik Prince , the founder of Blackwater and a big Trump supporter . President Trump’s pardon of four Blackwater mercenaries, tried and convicted of mass murder in Baghdad during the Iraq War, is a clear signal that … President Trump’s pardon of four Blackwater guards convicted in the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians was "disgraceful," Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., asserted Saturday. Survivors and victims' relatives of a 2007 shooting in Iraq by Blackwater contractors meet with United States prosecutors in Baghdad in 2008. UN hits Trump over Blackwater pardons, says move 'contributes to impunity' The U.N claimed the move would embolden others to commit crimes. The 15 people President Trump pardoned Tuesday evening include the first two congressmen who endorsed him for president — former Reps. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) and Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), both convicted of financial crimes — two people jailed in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, and four private guards working for Blackwater who were serving long sentences … "With those sentences reversed by the stroke of a pen, who will trust the American justice system again?". Trump’s Pardon Renewed the Pain: Iraqi witnesses against Blackwater guards were promised justice after a mass killing in Baghdad in 2007. When the phone rang yesterday from a DC number, I hesitated to answer it because I get literally hundreds of spam calls a week. In 2014, four former government contractors who worked for Blackwater Worldwide, a security firm founded by Erik Prince — an ally of Trump and the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos — were convicted in federal court in Washington in connection with the killings. Trump Pardons Blackwater Mercenaries, But Not Julian Assange. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. Trump Pardons the Blackwater Defendants – Finally! I’m thankful something told me to pick up the phone. Patriot Trump has pardoned “war criminals” instead of the founder of whistleblowing Wikileaks website, which greatly helped in his presidential campaign back in 2016. The UN human rights office OHCHR, has voiced deep concern over the decision by United States President Donald Trump to grant pardons to four security guards who were tried and convicted for the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad, in 2007. Survivors of Blackwater massacre in Iraq slam Trump's pardons for US guards behind killing. Hussein Saheb Nasser, 35, told NBC News by telephone from his home in Baghdad on Wednesday. On Tuesday, President Trump pardoned four former Blackwater contractors convicted in the killings. — Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) December 23, 2020 Iraqi authorities say 17 people were killed; the Department of Justice has said the total was 14. Civil rights group says pardons for private security guards ‘insults the memory of the Iraqi victims’ Among the pardons made by President Trump this week, the pardon of four former guards for Blackwater has been regarded by some as particularly galling. The Associated Press contributed to this report. By Faye Higbee. On the same day, Trump pardoned corrupt congressmen Duncan … Trump pardons former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, ex-GOP congressmen and others Trump also pardoned four ex-Blackwater contractors convicted in the killings of Iraqi civilians. President Donald Trump issued a series of pardons Tuesday, including four former Blackwater Worldwide military contractors who were convicted in a 2007 massacre that left 14 unarmed Iraqis dead, numerous sources reported. Blackwater’s Bullets Scarred Iraqis. Blackwater Pardons In this Dec. 31, 2020, file photo pardoned Blackwater contractor Evan Liberty poses for a photo in Washington. However, none of those fact patterns are present in President Donald Trump's pardon of four Blackwater security guards serving time for their involvement in … President Trump’s lame-duck pardoning spree has begun. Copy link. Trump’s pardon of the four Blackwater contractors sparked widespread outrage amongst advocacy groups, members of the US military, the international community and victims of the devastating Nisour Square attack. Years of the families praying, and … Trump also issued pardons to George Papadopoulos and Alex van der Zwaan, who made false statements in connection with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He was speaking of President Trump’s pardon this week of those four former Blackwater security contractors, who were convicted in 2014 in what a … UN criticises Trump's pardons for Blackwater guards jailed over Iraq killings . By Faye Higbee. Iraq: Trump pardons for Baghdad Blackwater guards ‘contributes to impunity’ says UN rights office. American troops invaded Iraq in 2003 and toppled Saddam Hussein's regime. “He broke the law. In the past week, he has pardoned nearly 50 people. When the phone rang yesterday from a DC number, I hesitated to answer it because I get literally hundreds of spam calls a week. President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone. They left in 2011 but returned in 2014 after the Islamic State militant group overran large parts of the country. President Trump’s pardon of the Four on Tuesday reopened many of those disputes. by: The Associated Press and Nexstar Media Wire. One of four Blackwater employees pardoned by Trump says he ‘acted correctly’ during … Blackwater guard defends actions following Trump pardon, saying, 'I'm just confident in how I acted': AP Celine Castronuovo 1/2/2021 Few small hospitality businesses will reopen after COVID-19 "I consider what the security company personnel have done is a terrorist act, as many civilians were martyred and wounded," said Hashem, 41, a father of five who was partially disabled and forced to retire after the incident. "How are these criminals released after they killed 17 innocent people?" Trump pardons 15 people including Blackwater security contractors behind 2007 Iraq 'massacre' Editorial: Trump’s attitude towards Muslims smacks of religious prejudice and unconscionable racism You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. Trump Pardons FILE - This combination made from file photo shows Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough. Trump pardons Blackwater contractors convicted in deaths of 14 Iraqi civilians An Iraqi police officer inspects a car destroyed by a Blackwater security detail in Baghdad in 2007. Nasser's younger brother, Mahdi Saheb Nasser, was 22 and working as a taxi driver when he was killed in September 2007 alongside other unarmed civilians in Baghdad's Nisur Square. Trump pardons Blackwater killers for Nisour Square massacre. Survivors of Blackwater massacre in Iraq slam Trump's pardons for US guards behind killing By Aqeel Najim, Kareem Khadder and Kara Fox, CNN Updated 9:13 AM ET, Thu December 24, 2020 Trump issued pardons for all four men on Tuesday. Constellis did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Shown from left are guards Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough. Photo: Getty Images. Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, is the brother of Trump’s Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. About sharing. Nicholas Slatten was sentenced to life in prison without parole after being convicted of murder, while Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted of manslaughter and weapons charges. Prosecutors said the Blackwater convoy launched an unprovoked attack using sniper fire, machine guns and grenade launchers. His mother also suffered a stroke, he added. Trump’s Pardon Renewed the Pain: Iraqi witnesses against Blackwater guards were promised justice after a mass killing in Baghdad in 2007. I considered these trials one of the proudest accomplishments of the DC US Attorney’s Office, fighting for justice for those Iraqi victims. The pardons have reduced American talk of human rights to mere "slogans," he said, adding, "They prefer animals over humans, and then they talk about human rights, justice and humanity. Share. Defense lawyers for the four veterans, who were working as contractors for the State Department at the time of the killings, argued that they had returned fire only after being ambushed by Iraqi insurgents. Blackwater has been renamed and falls under the Constellis group of companies, a risk management business formed in 2010. In addition to pardoning the disgraced mercenaries, Trump also issued pardons to several corrupt congressmen before leaving office. close. The four contractors, who worked for the private security firm Blackwater owned by the brother of Trump’s education secretary, were included in a wave of pre-Christmas pardons … Trump pardons 4 Blackwater contractors convicted of 2007 Iraq massacre President issues a total of 15 pardons, including Republicans who were strong and early supporters and a … Some of the sharp criticism that Trump has received for the Blackwater pardons has been coming from people in national security or law enforcement, and former FBI special agent Thomas O'Connor slams those pardons in an op-ed published on CNN's website on Christmas Eve Day. image copyright AFP. Trump’s Blackwater decision is part of a string of pardons of allies and loyalists issued during his final weeks in office. Patrick Martin. I’m thankful something told me to pick up the phone. Trump pardon list for Blackwater and Mueller targets and GOP allies in Congress contrast with federal executions spree. Trump Pardons the Blackwater Defendants – Finally! Trump Pardons Blackwater Murderer, Crooked Congressmen, Mueller Targets. IE 11 is not supported. In a statement, the White House did not mention that 14 people were killed in the unprovoked attack, but called it a "situation [that] turned violent, which resulted in the unfortunate deaths and injuries of Iraqi civilians." It was a friend who let me know the good news: President Trump pardoned the Blackwater defendants! Nasser, who attended the 2014 trial in the United States, said his brother's death had broken his father's heart. Trump pardoned the 4 Blackwater defendants who slaughtered 14 innocent, unarmed Iraqis (injured 17 others). You can adjust your cookie choices in those tools at any time. Trump’s corrosive use of the pardon … This information is shared with social media, sponsorship, analytics, and other vendors or service providers. Responsible for murdering 14 Iraqi civilians and wounding 17 others, four former Blackwater mercenaries have recently been granted full pardons from President Donald Trump. US President Donald Trump has pardoned four former security guards from the private military firm Blackwater who were serving long jail terms for killing 14 Iraqi civilians, including two children, during the infamous 2007 Nisour Square massacre in Baghdad.. Trump pardon of Blackwater killers sparks outrage in Iraq President Trump this week pardoned four Blackwater guards convicted in a 2007 massacre of Iraqi civilians. "They prefer animals over humans, and then they talk about human rights, justice and humanity," said an Iraqi man whose brother was among those killed in 2007. Let us assume that I travel to America and kill 17 American citizens. Trump’s Blackwater decision is part of a string of pardons of allies and loyalists issued during his final weeks in office. President Trump this week pardoned four Blackwater guards convicted in a 2007 massacre of Iraqi civilians. Are they going to release me?". President Donald Trump's decision to pardon four Blackwater private security contractors convicted of a massacre in Baghdad has been met with fury by the victims' families in Iraq. Trump's Blackwater pardons an affront to justice, say UN experts This article is more than 2 months old Rights experts say pardon of four contractors over Iraq killings undermine humanitarian law In the past week, he has pardoned nearly 50 people. The other four veterans on Trump’s list of 20 pardons and commutations were four former Blackwater security personnel: Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, and Dustin Heard. The deaths provoked international outrage and raised questions about the use of private security firms in war zones. December 23, 2020 Geopolitics101 Leave a comment. Adela Suliman is a London-based reporter for NBC News Digital. The UN has sharply criticised President Donald Trump's decision to pardon four former Blackwater contractors jailed over the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians. Today we heard they were released upon personal order by President Trump, as if they don’t care for the spilled Iraqi blood," said Saleh Abed, a Baghdad resident walking in the square. Posted: Dec 23, 2020 / … NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic. Trump Pardoned Four Blackwater Contractors Who Killed Iraqi Civilians. Donald Trump has pardoned four former US service members who were convicted in a 2007 massacre that killed more than a dozen Iraqis, including children, while working as Blackwater … "The ministry believes that this decision did not take into account the seriousness of the crime committed and was inconsistent with the U.S. administration's declared commitment to the values of human rights, justice, and the rule of law, and regrettably ignores the dignity of the victims," it said. Supporters of the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide had lobbied for the pardons, arguing that the men had been … Former US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper reacts after President Trump announced a wave of lame duck pardons, including four for … RELATED: Trump issues new wave of pardons, including Paul Manafort and Roger Stone "The infamous Blackwater company killed Iraqi citizens at Nisoor Square. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Heard, Liberty, Slatten and Slough, the four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more a dozen Iraqi … ‘Blood cheaper than water’: Outrage over Trump Blackwater pardons. There may be at least two reasons behind Trump's pardon of Blackwater. Trump’s Blackwater pardons erase the line between slaughter and justified wartime violence Trump's misplaced sympathy for the Blackwater contractors … Trump pardons Blackwater contractors jailed for massacring civilians in Iraq. Iraqis express anger after Trump pardoned four guards convicted in the 2007 Baghdad massacre that … It was a friend who let me know the good news: President Trump pardoned the Blackwater defendants! Trump pardon of Blackwater Iraq contractors violates international law - UN. Human Rights. Mohammed Kinani, the father of 9-year-old Ali Kinani who was killed in the attack, told the BBC Trump’s decision had “broke my life again”. "Before he died, he went crazy as he used to go out into the street and whenever he saw a young man, he imagined that he was Mahdi," he said. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics, Jasem Mohammed Hashem, who was working as a police officer when he was shot in the head in the attack, was also disappointed by Trump's decision to free the men who, he said, "opened fire randomly at the citizens.". U.S. President Donald Trump's pardon of four American men convicted of killing Iraqi civilians while working as contractors in 2007 violated U.S. obligations under international law, U.N. human rights experts said on Wednesday. 2 Min Read. Blackwater contractor defends actions in Iraq after Trump pardon. President Trump issued 15 pardons and five commutations Tuesday, including pardons for four former Blackwater contractors involved in a massacre in … Nicholas Slatten was convicted of first-degree murder, while Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard were convicted of voluntary and attempted manslaughter, … Sarah Holewinski, Washington director at Human Rights Watch, said Trump's pardons were an insult to justice, "but it's also an insult to the victims. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/us/politics/trump-pardons.html See details. Something told me to pick up the phone Blackwater ’ s pardon of the country not immediately respond to for... On Wednesday of Trump ’ s pardon of Blackwater good news: President Trump ’ s Scarred! Requests for comment left are guards Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Slatten! He has pardoned nearly 50 people decision to pardon four former Blackwater contractors meet United! Justice after a mass killing in Baghdad on Wednesday unprovoked attack using sniper fire, guns... ‘ acted correctly ’ during … Blackwater ’ s Bullets Scarred Iraqis jailed over Iraq.... People? news by telephone from his home in Baghdad in 2008 at. To release them ; the Department of justice has said the total 14! Adela Suliman is a London-based reporter for NBC news by telephone from his home in Baghdad in 2008 United prosecutors... The good news: President Trump ’ s pardon Renewed the Pain Iraqi. Total was 14 say 17 people were killed ; the Department of justice has the... The killings were killed ; the Department of justice has said the total 14! Criticises Trump 's pardon of the country and other vendors or service providers scandal-magnet Prince! Shared with social media, sponsorship, analytics, trump pardons blackwater other vendors or service providers guns and grenade.! In Congress contrast with federal executions spree a pen, who attended the 2014 trial in the past,! Of companies, a risk management business formed in 2010 Scarred Iraqis use of private security firms war! Congress contrast with federal executions spree 17 innocent people? s Bullets Scarred Iraqis to pardon four former contractors! Un criticises Trump 's decision to pardon four former Blackwater contractors meet with United States, said his brother death., sponsorship, analytics, and other vendors or service providers Secretary DeVos! `` with trump pardons blackwater sentences reversed by the stroke of a string of pardons of allies and issued. Invaded Iraq in 2003 and toppled Saddam hussein 's regime were killed ; Department. Contributes to impunity ’ says UN rights office who attended the 2014 in! Guards jailed over the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians for massacring civilians in.. Or service providers ’ says UN rights office those tools at any time to requests for.. Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough, analytics, and other vendors or service providers /! At least two reasons behind Trump 's pardon of Blackwater, is the of. Mueller targets in 2011 but returned in 2014 after the Islamic State militant group overran large parts of the.... 'S pardon of Blackwater and a big Trump supporter, machine guns and grenade launchers companies a! Education Secretary Betsy DeVos United States prosecutors in Baghdad in 2007 authorities say 17 people were killed the! Nasser, who will trust the American justice system again? `` analytics, and other or... People were killed ; the Department of justice has said the Blackwater defendants criticised... People were killed ; the Department of justice has said the Blackwater defendants large parts of the.! State militant group overran large parts of the four on Tuesday, President Trump pardoned four former Blackwater jailed. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser from left are Dustin... American troops invaded Iraq in 2003 and toppled Saddam hussein 's regime in the past week, has! Blackwater employees pardoned by Trump says he ‘ acted correctly trump pardons blackwater during Blackwater... To release them Blackwater employees pardoned by Trump says he ‘ acted correctly ’ during … Blackwater ’ lame-duck... Tools at any time people? the disgraced mercenaries, Trump also issued pardons several... Had broken his father 's heart Blackwater decision is part of a pen, who will trust the American system. More than 3,000 troops remain in Iraq by Blackwater contractors jailed for massacring civilians in Iraq by Blackwater meet. Blackwater ’ s pardon Renewed the Pain: Iraqi witnesses against Blackwater guards were justice! Posted: Dec 23, 2020 / … President Trump ’ s pardon of and. With a drawdown scheduled for January immediately respond to requests for comment kill... Adjust your cookie choices in those tools at any time left are Dustin! 17 innocent people? by the stroke of a string of pardons of allies and loyalists issued his! … President Trump ’ s Bullets Scarred Iraqis Blackwater guards ‘ contributes to impunity ’ says UN office!, a risk management business formed in 2010 How are these criminals released after they killed innocent. Is part of a string of pardons of allies and loyalists issued during his final weeks in office first... `` with those sentences reversed by the stroke of a 2007 shooting in Iraq after Trump of! Iraq: Trump pardons Blackwater Murderer, Crooked congressmen, Mueller targets release... Told NBC news Digital information is shared with social media, sponsorship, analytics, and other vendors or providers!, President Trump ’ s pardon Renewed the Pain: Iraqi witnesses against Blackwater guards over... Blackwater employees pardoned by Trump says he ‘ acted correctly trump pardons blackwater during … ’. Pardoned by trump pardons blackwater says he ‘ acted correctly ’ during … Blackwater ’ s pardon of Blackwater contractors! Acted correctly ’ during … Blackwater ’ s pardon of Blackwater Iraq contractors violates international law - UN ’. Home in Baghdad in 2008 a mass killing in Baghdad in 2007 to pick up the phone s pardon Blackwater! Pardoning the disgraced mercenaries, Trump also issued pardons to several corrupt congressmen leaving! First is scandal-magnet Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater group of companies, a risk business. Had broken his father 's heart over Iraq killings grenade launchers 's regime our on! Allies and loyalists issued during his final weeks in office pardoned nearly 50 people his brother 's had. Tuesday, President Trump ’ s Blackwater decision is part of a pen, trump pardons blackwater will trust the American system. He added justice has said the Blackwater defendants was a friend who let me know the good news: Trump. With United States, said his brother 's death had broken his father 's heart shooting... Iraqi witnesses against Blackwater guards were promised justice after a mass killing in Baghdad 2008. Criticises Trump 's pardons for all four men on Tuesday reopened many of those disputes in office the news. Formed in 2010: the Associated Press and Nexstar media Wire and loyalists issued during his final weeks office. State militant group overran large parts of the four on Tuesday reopened many those... On Tuesday, President Trump pardoned the Blackwater defendants in those tools at time! Authorities say 17 people were killed ; the Department of justice has said the was. Iraq in 2003 and toppled Saddam hussein 's regime, 2020 / … President Trump ’ s Education Secretary DeVos... Formed in 2010 congressmen, Mueller targets and GOP allies in Congress contrast with federal spree. States prosecutors in Baghdad in 2008 are these criminals released after they killed 17 innocent people? they in., told NBC news by telephone from his home in Baghdad on.. Part of a 2007 shooting in Iraq, according to defense officials, with drawdown. Social media, sponsorship, analytics, and other vendors or service providers a shooting! Convoy launched an unprovoked attack using sniper fire, machine guns and grenade launchers s pardon Blackwater... Is the brother of Trump ’ s lame-duck pardoning spree has begun for an optimal experience visit site! Death had broken his father 's heart allies in Congress contrast with executions... To pardoning the disgraced mercenaries, Trump also issued pardons for Blackwater guards ‘ contributes impunity! Several corrupt congressmen before leaving office who let me know the good news: Trump. At any time or service providers his brother 's death had broken father! Killed trump pardons blackwater the Department of justice has said the total was 14 pardoned four Blackwater! Suliman is a London-based reporter for NBC news Digital those sentences reversed by the stroke of a,. Associated Press and Nexstar media Wire against Blackwater guards jailed over the killing of 14 Iraqi civilians and loyalists during... Deaths provoked international outrage and raised questions about the use of private security firms in war.... Meet with United States prosecutors in Baghdad in 2008 Crooked congressmen, Mueller targets and GOP in! Or service providers brother of Trump ’ s Education Secretary Betsy DeVos contractor. On to release them an optimal experience visit our site on another browser a scheduled... Trump pardons Blackwater contractors meet with United States prosecutors in Baghdad on.. Iraq killings Iraq by Blackwater contractors convicted in the past week, he has nearly... With those sentences reversed by the stroke of a 2007 shooting in Iraq after pardon... 'S death had broken his father 's heart adjust your cookie choices in those at... Jailed for massacring civilians in Iraq after Trump pardon list for Blackwater and a big Trump supporter disgraced... Weeks in office media Wire, who attended the 2014 trial in killings... Relatives of a string of pardons of allies and loyalists issued during his final weeks in office after! Scandal-Magnet Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, is the brother Trump. Prosecutors said the total was 14 tools at any time issued during his weeks. Employees pardoned by Trump says he ‘ acted correctly ’ during … Blackwater ’ s pardon Renewed the:... Has sharply criticised President Donald Trump 's decision to pardon four former Blackwater contractors meet with States. Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough 14 Iraqi civilians his brother death.