Lawyer for Muhammad Ali Rejects Trump's 'Unnecessary' Offer to Pardon the Late Boxer

Elizabeth Preza
and
 AlterNet
June 08, 2018

An attorney for Muhammad Ali on Friday dismissed Donald Trump’s suggestion he may pardon the late boxer, noting there's no crime for the president to pardon.

Trump told reporters he’s looking at “thousands of names” of people he could pardon, adding he’s “thinking about Muhammad Ali.”

“I’m thinking about that very seriously and some others,” Trump added.

Ron Tweel, an attorney for Ali, released a statement saying they “appreciate” the president’s “sentiment, but a pardon is unnecessary.”

“The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Muhammad Ali in a unanimous decision in 197,” Tweel wrote. There is no conviction from which a pardon is needed.”

Ali, a conscientious objector of the Vietnam War, was convicted of resisting the draft in June 1967. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1971.

Report typos and corrections to: feedback@alternet.org.

Understand the importance of honest news ?

So do we.

The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.

We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference in allowing our newsroom to bring you the stories that matter, at a time when being informed is more important than ever. Invest with us.

Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.

Click to donate by check.

DonateDonate by credit card
Donate by Paypal
@2021 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Don't Sit on the Sidelines of History. Join Alternet All Access and Go Ad-Free. Support Honest Journalism.

Subscribe Annually

$95 / year — Just $7.91/month

Subscribe Monthly

$1 trial

I want to Support More

$14.99 per month