Reality stars, rappers and disgraced politicians have received some of the high-profile pardons doled out by the president

But the pardons announced Wednesday are part of a pattern of clemency grants that began in Trump's first term and has continued in the current one in which bold-face names, prominent supporters and defendants whose causes are championed by friends time and again have an edge on ordinary citizens who lack connections to the White House.

Rapper NBA YoungBoy and reality TV couple Todd and Julie Chrisley receive presidential pardons, causing concern over the president doling out "pardons as favors," from democratic congressman.