Hey Prez Trump, how about honoring Independence Day by using your clemency power to give some more Americans more liberty?

It is now been nearly a month since Prez Donald Trump commuted the life sentence of Alice Johnson at the behest of Kim Kardashian West (basics here).  Immediately thereafter, there were reports here of "a growing list of potential pardons or commutations under consideration by President Donald Trump" and Prez Trump himself said: "We have 3,000 names.  We’re looking at them.  Of the 3,000 names, many of those names have been treated unfairly."  A week later it was reported Prez Trump will be "pardoning a lot of people — pardons that even Obama wouldn't do" and reported that Mrs. West had "assembled a large legal team and was pursuing clemency for several other nonviolent offenders."  And, as posts here and here highlighted, plenty of folks have been taking up the President's call to put forward worthy clemency candidates.

I have been more than a bit worried that all the buzz about all sorts of clemency action may be a lot of talk that may not be followed by a lot of action.  But, as the title of this post is meant to suggest, I think Independence Day — when we celebrate a great document that starts by stressing the "unalienable Rights [of] Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" — would be a fitting day for Prez Trump to help, through grants of clemency, at least a few more persons enjoy "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  

I am not yet going to get cynical about Prez Trump's clemency chatter because I am eager to hold out hope that he might have a desire to best Prez Obama's record-setting clemency numbers. But, as regular readers know, I am ever eager to criticize leaders who "talk the talk" but then fail to "walk the walk."  Today strikes me as a great time for the bold clemency walk to get started.

A few of many recent related posts about recent Trumpian clemency activity:

• As Kim Kardashian heads to White House, I hope she advocates for many federal offenders excessively sentenced 
• Kimme’s accomplishment: Prez Trump commutes LWOP sentence of Alice Johnson!!
• Prez Trump reportedly "obsessed" with pardons and "may sign a dozen or more in the next two months"
• "Kim Kardashian West pushes White House for more drug sentence commutations"
• Prez Trump now says he is looking at "3,000 names" for possible clemency and will seek more 
• Any suggestions for Prez Trump's "growing list of potential pardons or commutations"? 
• "Trump asks for clemency names and lists promptly arrive at White House" 
• Former US Pardon Attorney explains why "Trump’s pardons are really not out of the ordinary" 
• Another notable report on clemency suggesting Prez Trump will be "pardoning a lot of people — pardons that even Obama wouldn’t do"
• "N.F.L. Players to Trump: Here’s Whom You Should Pardon"