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Trump strikes tone of empathy and redemption ahead of rally<\/p><\/div>\n
Roger Stone told Fox News he is ‘praying’ for Trump to intervene ahead of his prison sentence.<\/h2>\n
By Brooke Singman, John Roberts | Fox News<\/p>\n
President Trump is expected to announce that he will commute Roger Stone\u2019s sentence, just days before the longtime political operative is slated to report to prison to serve more than three years for charges stemming from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller\u2019s investigation, Fox News has learned.<\/p>\n
Sources told Fox News Friday that the president could announce a commutation of Stone\u2019s sentence as early as Friday evening.<\/p>\n
The president, as recently as Friday morning, has said he was “looking at” offering Stone clemency, saying he was “very unfairly treated.”<\/p>\n
Stone was set to report to prison on July 14 to serve 40 months. He was sentenced in February to more than three years in prison after being convicted in November 2019 on seven counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements to Congress on charges that stemmed from Mueller\u2019s investigation. Stone, however, has appealed his conviction and continues to deny any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
Trump, for weeks,\u00a0has signaled he could be open to granting Stone clemency \u2014 tweeting\u00a0last month that Stone was \u201ca victim of a corrupt and illegal Witch Hunt, one which will go down as the greatest political crime in history. He can sleep well at night!\u201d<\/p>\n
During an exclusive interview with Fox News this week, Stone said he was \u201cpraying\u201d for Trump to intervene.<\/p>\n
When asked whether he\u2019d prefer a pardon or a commutation of his sentence, Stone said \u201ceither one obviously would have an effect, in my opinion, of saving my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
A presidential pardon completely absolves an individual of the crime he or she is found to have committed. A commutation lessens the punishment or eliminates jail time, but leaves the conviction standing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have deep concerns about going to a prison where there absolutely is COVID virus, and, therefore, either one would have an effect of saving my life,” Stone said.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cIf I should be fortunate enough to get a commutation, I would continue to fight for vindication.\u201d<\/p>\n