Larry Hoover, the leader of the Chicago street gang, the Gangster Disciples, received some celebratory news on Wednesday, May 28. President Donald Trump agreed to commute Hoover’s federal prison sentence. However, he will remain incarcerated as part of his sentence in state prison.
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Larry Hoover’s Prison Sentence Commuted
Following Trump’s decision, various members of the hip-hop community, chimed in about Hoover’s release.
Including Rap-A-Lot Records founder, J Prince Sr.
“Thank you to [President Donald Trump]. And the angel from heaven, my sister [Alicia Marie Free] for allowing the Creator to work through you. We’re deeply grateful to the President for doing what no other president would: freeing and pardoning my brother, Larry Hoover,” Prince wrote on Instagram on May 28.
He also added: In his own words: “NEVER STOP SWINGING.”
To everyone who contributed to this journey—thank you. I appreciate you all more than words can express.”
Kanye West, who has also long advocated for Hoover’s release also chimed in.
“WORDS CAN’T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
As leader of one of Chicago’s most dangerous street gangs, Hoover was considered a threat to society.
Hoover co-founded the Gangster Disciples along with David Barksdale in 1968. For years they terrorized Chicago with acts of various criminal activities, including racketeering, drug trafficking, and car theft.
Hoover was found guilty of murder in Chicago in 1973 and sentenced to 200-plus years in prison. However, after his sentence, Hoover continued to run the gang from prison and was federally charged and hit with six life sentences. Following his sentence being commuted the former lead prosecutor in his federal case, Ron Safer, shared his disappointment in Trump’s decision.
“I believe in redemption, I believe in rehabilitation, I believe in mercy. There are some crimes that are so heinous, so notorious, that they’re not deserving of mercy,” Safer said.
